References for School Admissions

Many of you are aware that a clergy reference is needed to support applications for foundation places at Church of England primary and secondary schools, including St Mary’s and All Saints’ Primary Schools in this parish. Clergy are asked to confirm that certain criteria have been met – typically this is regular worship (twice a month) and an active contribution to the life of the church for the two-year period leading up to the date of the application.

For many years we have had a rigorous process for signing our clergy references. We appreciate that this is a daunting and potentially stressful time for parents so we wanted to set this out to give greater clarification and reassurance.

We give parents a specific deadline by which we need their application forms. It is always useful if you can attach a separate note (purely for our administrative purposes) setting out you or your child’s participation in church life as well as a photo as an aide memoire for clergy – you can imagine we get a lot of application forms, so everything helps ease the process. We know of some families attending both churches in the parish. Both church administrators have access to Sunday School attendance registers, acolyte rotas, Admission to Holy Communion attendance registers, etc., so that we can confirm whether children and families regularly attend and are actively engaged in the life of church, in accordance with the schools’ criteria.

It is worth highlighting that each school sets its own criteria and amongst the Church of England Secondary Schools in this area there is a variety of different criteria, e.g. what constitutes ‘regular worship’, and the number of years for which ‘regular worship’ and ‘active involvement’ must be demonstrated. Please familiarise yourself with the criteria at potential schools for your children in good time so as to avoid the risk of failing to satisfy a particular school’s conditions.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact:

St Mary’s

Administrator: Julie Craig  julie.craig@parishofputney.co.uk 020 3903 4732

Team Rector: The Rev’d John Whittaker  john.whittaker@parishofputney.co.uk 07906 759326

Sunday School and services of interest to those with children

We have a fantastic Sunday School team and all ages welcome at St Mary’s!  

Please see below for details of our children’s provisions in  2026. 

We are privileged to have a dedicated Godly Play classroom here at St Mary’s and welcome children aged 3+ at least once a term. Godly Play is a creative and imaginative approach to Christian nurture. It aims to develop a deeper understanding of stories, symbols and rites as a way of preparing children to join in the worship and life of their faith community. 

Click here to view details about St Mary’s Junior Choir.

If you, or your children, would be interesting in serving on a Sunday morning or evening in the future please speak to one of the clergy or email Clare Harbin (children) Clare.Harbin@parishofputney.co.uk or Antonia Wainman (adults) by clicking on this link: weddings.baptisms@parishofputney.co.uk

Our Admission of the Baptised to Communion (ABC) course begins on Sunday 11^th January. 16 children from the Parish will be preparing to receive Holy Communion and will be admitted during the morning services on Sunday 1^st February. Please hold them and their families in your prayers: Aithan, Charlie, Elliott, Georgeana, Iliana, Isabella, Kayan, Lyla, Maya, Mya, Safiye, Sophia, Theo, Yaryna, Zaria and Zlata.

Volunteers needed: We are looking for help cooking Shepherd’s Pie for a shared supper (around 50 people) on Sunday 25 January. If you can help, please contact nikki.cornfield@parishofputney.co.uk.

Admission to Holy Communion Course (ABC)

In the Parish of Putney, we love welcoming children as they grow in faith and understanding of God’s love. Each year, children in Year 3 and above are invited to take a further step in their faith journey by preparing to receive Holy Communion through our Admission of the Baptised to Communion (ABC) Course.

The course includes engaging sessions for both parents and children, exploring themes of belonging, prayer, and the meaning of communion, and concludes with a joyful celebration in February 2026. Registration for 2026 has now closed. 

For more information or questions, please contact Nikki Cornfield (nikki.cornfield@parishofputney.co.uk).

Scan the QR code to find out more and to register and book your family’s meeting or click on this form REGISTRATION FORM – ABC COURSE 2026