Admissions
Applying for a School Place
Admissions to St Joseph's Catholic Primary School
Starting School – September 2027
A warm welcome awaits your child at St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Frizington!
Choosing the right school for your child is an important decision, and we would love to welcome you and your family to St Joseph's.
We are a small, friendly Catholic primary school where every child is known, valued and encouraged to flourish.
Our school motto is at the heart of everything we do:
“We care, we belong, we learn together in faith.”
If your child was born between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2023, they are eligible to start Reception in September 2027.
Come and Visit Us!
The best way to discover what makes St Joseph's special is to come and see us in action.
We warmly invite prospective families to visit, meet our staff, explore our classrooms and experience our welcoming school community.
We are happy to arrange visits at a time that suits you, including before or after work where possible.
Book a visit:
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Telephone: 01946 810702
We look forward to meeting you!
Everyone Is Welcome
Families of all faiths and none are warmly welcomed at St Joseph's.
As a Catholic school, our faith shapes our values, relationships and daily school life. We celebrate the uniqueness of every child and encourage everyone to feel that they belong.
You do not need to be Catholic to apply for a place.
Where there are more applications than available places, applications are considered according to the oversubscription criteria in our published Admissions Policy. These include faith-based criteria.
How to Apply for September 2027
Applying for a Reception place is straightforward.
Step 1 – Complete your application
Parents and carers must apply through their home local authority. For families living in Cumberland, applications are made through Cumberland Council.
The deadline for applications is Friday 15 January 2027.
Please include St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Frizington as one of your school preferences.
Apply for a school place through Cumberland Council
If you need a paper application form, please contact Cumberland Council or ask our school office for assistance.
Step 2 – Supplementary Information Form
If you wish your application to be considered under a faith-based oversubscription criterion, you may need to complete our Supplementary Information Form (SIF) and provide the supporting evidence specified in our Admissions Policy.
Please read the Admissions Policy 2027–2028 carefully to establish whether this applies to your child.
The form is available alongside our Admissions Policy below and should be returned to the school by 15 January 2027.
Step 3 – Receive your school place offer
You will be notified of your child's allocated school place by your home local authority on Friday 16 April 2027, National Offer Day.
Need help applying?
Please pop into the school office, where Mrs Skelton will be happy to help you understand the application process.
Important Dates for September 2027
| Date | What happens |
|---|---|
| 15 January 2027 | Closing date for Reception applications |
| 15 January 2027 | Deadline for any required Supplementary Information Form |
| 16 April 2027 | National Offer Day |
| May–June 2027 | Further allocation of available places, in accordance with Cumberland Council's timetable |
| September 2027 | Children begin their Reception year |
Please check Cumberland Council's website for the latest admissions and reallocation dates.
Our Admission Arrangements
The governing body of St Joseph's Catholic Primary School is the admission authority for the school.
Our Published Admission Number (PAN) for Reception in September 2027 is 12.
Our Admissions Policy explains:
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How applications are considered and places allocated.
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The oversubscription criteria used when applications exceed available places.
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How faith-based applications are considered.
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Arrangements for children with special educational needs and disabilities.
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Deferred admission and part-time attendance.
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Requests for admission outside a child's normal age group.
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Waiting lists and admission appeals.
Admissions Documents
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Admissions Policy 2027–2028, including Supplementary Information Form (PDF)
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Admissions Policy 2026–2027 (PDF)
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Admission Appeals Timetable 2027 (PDF)
These documents are available below. Please contact the school office if you require an accessible copy or assistance understanding the information.
Joining St Joseph's During the School Year
Moving into the area or thinking about changing schools? We would love to hear from you!
Families can enquire about places in Reception through to Year 6 at any point during the school year.
As a small school, we understand how important it is for children to feel safe, happy and settled when joining a new school.
Please contact us to discuss availability and arrange a visit.
For in-year admissions, applications are handled in accordance with our published Admissions Policy and Cumberland Council's coordinated arrangements. We will explain the application process and confirm the outcome in writing.
Telephone: 01946 810702
Email: admin@st-josephsrc.cumbria.sch.uk
Further information about changing schools in Cumberland
Admission Appeals
If your child is not offered a place at St Joseph's, you have the right to appeal to an independent admission appeal panel.
Information about how to appeal, the relevant deadlines and the appeals process is available in our published admissions arrangements.
Admission Appeals Timetable 2027 (PDF)
Please contact the school office if you need further advice.
Religious Education at St Joseph's
Our Catholic faith is central to our school community and is reflected in our curriculum, prayer, worship and relationships.
All children participate in a rich school life shaped by Gospel values, kindness, respect and care for others.
Parents and carers have the legal right to request that their child be withdrawn from all or part of Religious Education.
If you would like to discuss this, please contact our headteacher, Miss Savage, who will be happy to meet with you.
Contact Cumberland Council Admissions
For information about school place applications, allocations and appeals, please contact:
School Admissions and Appeals
Cumberland Council
PO Box 462
Carlisle
CA1 9LD
Telephone: 01228 221582
Visit Cumberland Council's School Admissions website
We Would Love to Welcome Your Family!
At St Joseph's, we believe that every child deserves to feel happy, safe, valued and part of a caring school family.
Whether your child is starting Reception or joining us later in their primary school journey, we would be delighted to show you what makes our little school special.
Come and discover St Joseph's — where we care, we belong and we learn together in faith.