Admissions
This page will be updated shortly to reflect the admissions process for September 2025. In the meantime, our admissions policy can be viewed here, or you can call the school office to arrange a visit.
Is your child starting school in September 2024?
If your child lives in West Northamptonshire, from the 8th September 2023, you can make an application for a:
- Primary School place for September 2024 if your child has their 4th birthday between 1st September 2023 and 31st August 2024
The closing date will be 15th January 2024.
The quickest way to make an application is online via 'West Northamptonshire County Council - WNCC link' below:
Primary school places | West Northamptonshire Council (westnorthants.gov.uk)
Admissions Criteria
Our published admissions number per year group is 15
Places will be allocated to pupils who have an Education, Health & Care (EHC) Plan that names the school as appropriate provision. When there are more applications for places than there are places available, priority will be given in the following order:
- Looked after and all previously looked after children
- Pupils who live in the village of Rothersthorpe
- Pupils with a sibling continuing at the school at the time of the admission of the child
- Other pupils
Tie-breaker
If the admissions number is exceeded within criterion (2), priority will be given to those who live furthest from the nearest alternative school. If the admission number is exceeded within any other criterion, priority will be given to those who live closest to the school.
Please contact the school office to find out about open days or to visit the school. Call 01604 830995 or email: office@rothersthorpe.innovatemat.org
For more information on admissions arrangements for schools, how the process works and to apply for a school place, please click the link below:
School Admissions | West Northamptonshire Council (westnorthants.gov.uk)
Our Admissions policy for 2024 is below.
For admission arrangements, please contact West Northamptonshire Council or the school office via 01604 830995 or office@rothersthorpe.innovatemat.org
Applying for a school place outside the normal entry times
If your child is already at primary school and wishes to move to a different school, you will need to make an in-year application instead.
Any applications to move schools outside of the school's normal entry year will be processed as in-year applications.
Please note that we do not allocate an in-year school place more than a month in advance of the date the place is required. Parents will be informed in writing if a place is available at their preferred primary school.
Special Educational Needs
If your child has an Education, Health & Care (EHC) Plan, there are different procedures for obtaining a school place.
Moving to the area
If you are moving to the area and would like a place at our school please give us a ring to arrange a visit - we have places available in all year groups. Apply for a place online at
Primary school places | West Northamptonshire Council (westnorthants.gov.uk)
Appeals and timelines
Primary school appeals against decisions not to offer places in the normal admissions round for September 2024 entry should be submitted no later than 5pm on the 18 May 2024.
In-year transfers: Appeal within 30 schools days from the date when refused a place
Late appeals: No deadline
Parents' additional evidence must be submitted within 10 days of submitting your appeal by email to: appealsteam.ncc@westnorthants.gov.uk or posted to:
Appeals Team, Democratic Services, West Northamptonshire Council, One Angel Square, Angel Street, Northampton. NN1 1ED.
Primary School hearings: Every effort will be made to convene on-time appeals within 40 school days from the closing date for lodging appeals, however, there may be delays due to limitations of video conferencing facilities. Appeals will be rescheduled at the earliest possible date.
In-year transfer appeals: Appeals lodged outside the normal admissions round will be convened within 28 days, where possible, following receipt of your appeal form, or at the earliest possible date.
Late appeals: Late co-ordinated appeals will be heard alongside on-time appeals wherever possible. Every effort will be made to hear late appeals before the end of the school year, but if this is not possible, they will be convened at the earliest possible time in the new school year. Appeals are not usually convened during school holidays due to the unavailability of school representatives.
Parents will receive written notification of an appeal date at least 14 days before the date of the appeal. (You may waive your right to this notice period if it will help to speed up your appeal, but a quicker appeal cannot be guaranteed).
Appeals for the same school and year group must be heard together and by the same panel. The Clerk or person organising the appeal, sends appeal papers to parents, the panel and the school, 7 days before the appeal hearing. No further documents will be posted after this date.
Appeal hearing decision: Decisions will be made after all appeals have been heard for that particular school. Decision letters will be sent out at the earliest possible time, and where possible, within 7 days following decisions. In the case of multiple appeals or in busy times, please allow up to 14 days for decision letters to be sent.