Admissions

The Education Authority manages the procedures for the enrolment of children in primary school (age 4-11 years). Whilst you are able to express an interest directly with us at Holywood Primary School, this does not constitute an application. It just means that we will add your name to our list so that we can keep in touch with you.

Primary 1 Intake Application Process

All children who are 4 years old on or before the 1st July must begin their primary education from the beginning of the school year following their 4th birthday. The application procedure for primary education allows parents to express a preference for the primary school they wish their child to attend. 

***FULL DETAILS OF THE APPLICATION PROCESS AND COMPLETION OF AN ONLINE  APPLICATION FOR SEPTEMEBER 2019 PRIMARY 1 PLACES, CAN BE ACCESSED ON THE  Education Authority  website.***

1. Register and complete the application form via the Admissions portal on the Education Authority website from 2 January 2019 at 10.00 a.m. until 31 January at 12.00 midnight.

N.B. IF YOU HAVE CHOSEN HOLYWOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL AS YOUR FIRST CHOICE, PLEASE ALSO COMPLETE AND SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS TO THE SCHOOL OFFICE BY  8 FEBRUARY AT 12.00 NOON TO ENSURE THE ADMISSION PROCESS CAN BE COMPLETED FOR YOUR CHILD.  

2. Download and complete the Holywood Primary School data collection form

3. Return the completed Data Collection Form to Holywood Primary School with a copy of your child's long / full birth certificate. 

Admissions Criteria

The Principal will apply the following P1 intake criteria on behalf of the Board of Governors. Only children of compulsory school age (i.e. children who are 4 years old on or before the 1st July in the year they start P1) will be considered for acceptance into Primary 1.

a)    This is a statement of the criteria agreed by the Board of Governors for the admission of pupils into P1.

b)    Only children of compulsory school age will be admitted.

c)     The criteria will be applied in the order set down in points 1 to 3. Preference will be given to:

Preference will be given to:-

1. Children who have a brother(s) or sister(s)* presently enrolled at the school. (Applicants must state the family currently   in attendance at Holywood Primary School on the application form)

2. Children whose brother(s) or sister(s)* is a former pupil of the school. (Applicants must state the family member and dates of when they attended Holywood Primary School on the application form)

3.  Geographical location

Priority will be given to children who live closest to the school.  Distance will be determined on the basis of measurements taken from the child’s home address as stated on the application form to either of the two entrance gates to the school at Church Road or Hillview Place whichever is closest, using the RAC Route Finder.

*Includes half brother/sister, step brother/sister, adopted or foster brother/sister

Tie – breaker 

In the event of a tie for last place at criterion 3, pupils will be selected for admission on the basis of initial letter of surname (as entered on birth certificate) in order set out below;

t z Mc v r h o k l s e d u a q p m x i Mac w b g y j c f n

If your child is in another primary school and you wish to move him or her to Holywood Primary School we suggest you contact us for information. If a place is available in the year group you are requesting, we will ask you to make a formal application as follows:

Download and complete the Education Authority AP1 form

Download and complete the Holywood Primary School data collection form

Return the completed forms with a copy of your child's  full / long birth certificate. 

Waiting List

When a vacancy becomes available we treat all applications equally, including late applications, applications that were initially refused and applications where new information has been provided. We also apply the same criteria published above.

This waiting list for P1- P7 pupils will be in place until the end of the academic year. The school will contact a parent or guardian in writing if their child gains a place in the school by this method. A child’s name will be automatically added to a waiting list.

Parents or guardians are asked to contact the school if they wish their child’s name to be removed from the waiting list.