Variation to admissions arrangements for September 2021-2022 - Statement

Admissions Clarification (Covid-19)

St Mary's Catholic Primary School Admission Arrangements 2021-2022

Parents and carers applying for places in Years R - 6 in the academic year 2021-2022 are asked to note the following statement in relation to the Mass Attendance oversubscription criterion set out in the school's admission arrangements:

• On the advice of the Education Commission of the Archdiocese of Southwark, the Kent Catholic Schools' Partnership has agreed the following statement in order to clarify how its faith-based oversubscription criteria will be interpreted while churches are closed or attendance at church is not possible due to Covid-19.  This statement has been shared widely with parishes by the Education Commission in order to ensure that determinations made by parish priests concerning regular practice of the faith are being made on a consistent basis.

• The suspension of the obligation to attend Sunday Mass was announced on 18th March 2020 by the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.  If a parent or carer attended Mass at a particular parish (or parishes) prior to 18th March 2020 then they will be considered to have attended Mass in that parish (or parishes) regularly since that time.  This will remain the case until the Sunday obligation is reintroduced by the Bishops.

Mike Powis

Chair of the KCSP Board

September 2020