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 an application form can be found on the Education Authority website.

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 4. 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 member 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      Children of permanent, paid staff employed at Holywood Primary School.

4      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 OSNI website.

*includes half brother/ sister, step brother/ sister, adopted or foster brother/ sister.

In the event of a tie for last place in point 4, pupils will be selected for admission on the basis of initial letter of surname (as entered on birth certificate) in order set out below;

R S A L Q M C Y D Mc E I W N J G K O T U F H V P X Z Mac B

This order was determined by a randomised selection of the letters of the alphabet. In the event of the surnames beginning with the same letter the subsequent letters of the surname will be used. In the event of two identical surnames the first initial of the forename will be used.  

Please note that it is the responsibility of parents to ensure that all relevant information is included on or attached to the application form.

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 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.