September 2026 Reception Admission deadline is 4:30pm on Thursday 15th January
Join us at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School where every child thrives!
Why choose us? Experience the difference of a school that truly cares about every child’s success.
- Exceptional results — 8% above the national average for a good level of development.
- The whole child — ensuring that we support the development of the whole child.
- Strong sense of community fostering lasting connections between children, teachers, families and the wider community.
- Learning beyond the classroom — we are starting forest school soon!
- Open communication and consistent engagement.
- Every child’s needs met and their potential maximised.
- Welcoming to all — children of all faiths and backgrounds.
Our Lady of the Rosary is a one-form-entry Roman Catholic Primary School (2–11 years) in Peterlee, Co. Durham. We are part of the Bishop Chadwick Catholic Education Trust. We are very proud of our school and the community it serves. We are delighted that you are considering Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School for your child’s primary education.
Our governing body has responsibility for admissions to our school. The local authority undertakes the co-ordination of admission arrangements during the normal admission round for Reception entry in September.
September Admissions
You will find our Admission Policy below with full information about our admission process and criteria.
Feel free to contact the school office if you have any queries about the admission of your child into Our Lady of the Rosary. We know the admissions process can be daunting and are more than happy to support you.
What we offer
Independence — is the key to the children’s success at Our Lady of the Rosary.
Imagination — through role play, storytelling and story writing.
Nurture — caring for the whole child, supporting them both at school and home.
Desire — a desire to learn is embedded within the Early Years.
Engagement — children are fully engaged in their learning.
Play — children who experience learning through play have time to consolidate their knowledge and have a deeper understanding.
Excitement — an excitement for life and to grow and learn.
Nature — to understand the importance of our wonderful world and how to care for it.
Daring — children who take risks and challenge their own learning and thinking to gain a deeper understanding of something.
Excellence — that we are our best selves.
Noticing — that we are asking questions, investigating and making statements to extend and challenge our learning.
Caring — that we care for ourselves, others and the environment.
Early Years — that we are building the foundations of future learning and our school career.
Come and Visit Us
If you would like to come and visit us, please call the school office on 0191 5862264 and we will be happy to arrange a date and time for you to visit.
How to Apply
Please find the 2025 Admissions Timetable, link to the application form and information from County Durham Local Authority below.
Step 1 — click here: School places and admissions - Durham County Council
Step 2: Scroll down until you find the button shown below, click it and follow the instructions.
Step 3: Scroll down and read the information until you see this button:
Step 4: Read the information and then scroll down to either create a portal log in or use an existing log in to log in and apply.
Need a hand?
We offer support — get in touch to book an appointment to pop into school. We can help with all forms. Call the school office on 0191 5862264 or email office@ourladyrosary.org.uk.
Next Steps
How will I know if my child has been offered a place?
You will receive your child’s school offer by 16 April from Durham Local Authority.
What if I miss the deadline?
Don’t panic — late applications can still be submitted, and we’ll help you with next steps.
What if my application isn’t successful?
We’ll talk you through the appeal process and explain your options clearly.
What happens after my child is offered a place?
How wonderful! We’ll contact you to arrange induction days and share details about uniforms, routines and starting school smoothly.