A Catholic school has had its knuckles rapped for discrimination for giving places to children who attended mass at its church rather than those who lived nearby.

St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, Epsom, has been ordered to change its admissions policy following a ruling by the Office of the Schools Adjudicator last month - and is expected to publish a new policy in the next few days.

An over-subscribed school rated Good in its last Oftsed report, the school in Rosebank, West Street, had been giving priority to potential pupils based upon how many masses they have attended at the affiliated church next door, St Joseph’s Catholic Church - a practice which the adjudicator said amounted to "discrimination that potentially arises from requiring attendance at the church rather than residency in the parish".

According to a concerned parent at the school, of the 60 places available in 2014, all were allocated to those who had attended mass at the church weekly - something the Schools Adjudicator confirmed - but the parent added: "Many of these places were given to parents who lived outside the local area" - something the school has denied.

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St Joseph's Catholic Primary School

The parent said: "These places should have been given to local children, whose parents were then forced to find places further away from their homes. 

"The parents were afraid to complain for fear of retribution - not on them but on their children who will not be able to gain a place at the school."

However, the adjudicator did not uphold an argument that the school was "selling school places for cash" by asking parents attending mass at St Joseph’s Catholic Church to make voluntary and anonymous donations.

The parent added: "Many parents had concerns the school imposed a financial burden upon parents who wish to admit their children to the school.

"The school insists that parents and the child must attend mass at the church next door as many times as possible to be considered for a place at the school. 

"Only those masses where donations are given to the church count."

Dismissing the claim, the adjudicator stated: "Attendance at the church and frequency of worship there are essential for admission to the school and donations are sought during these visits.

"I do not however find that admission is based on these payments for it is possible to attend the requisite number of masses without payments and the admissions authority would not know which parents have made donations." 

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St Joseph's Catholic Church, which is situated next to the primary school

In a statement, Theresa Kenefick, headteacher, said: "The Governors of St. Joseph's have taken on board the requirements as determined by the School's Adjudicator with regard to our admissions policy and changes have been made.

"Our aim has always been to provide the very best education for the children in our care and we will continue to do so."

When pressed on how the admissions process has been changed or how the distance a child lives from the school is factored into the procedure, she added: "St Joseph’s has responded fully to the adjudicator’s determination and is in the process of finalising the new admissions policy in liaison with the local authority and the dicoese.

"This will be published within the next day or so.

"The vast majority of places at St Joseph’s are allocated to parents who live in Epsom within close proximity of the school and this will continue after the changes to policy."

St Joseph's is a voluntary-aided school for pupils aged four to 11, which is expanding to two-form entry in reception. 

The inspection of denominational education last October found it to be 'exceptional'. 

What do you think? Contact Hardeep Matharu on 020 8722 6346 or email hmatharu@london.newsquest.co.uk.