St Wilfrid's Church of England Academy

When there are more applications than places for 2025-26 (Year 7), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1. 1Looked after and previously looked after children; children with special medical or social circumstances — (a) Children in public care and previously looked after children. This includes any "looked after child", "previously looked after children" and any child who was previously looked after but immediately after being looked after became subject to an adoption, residence or special guardianship order. 'Looked after' means that the child was (a) in the care of a local authority, or (b) being provided with accommodation by a local authority in the exercise of their social services functions. This criteria also includes looked after children and all previously looked after children who appear (to the admission authority) to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted. (b) Children with special medical or social circumstances affecting the child where these needs can only be met at this school. Professional supporting evidence from a professional, e.g. a doctor, psychologist, social worker, is essential if admission is to be made under the criterion for special medical or social circumstances, and such evidence must set out the particular reasons why the school in question is the most suitable school and the impact if the child had to attend another school.
2. 2Active Church member (parent) – not less than weekly over two years — not less than weekly over a period of two years from the 1 September 2022 to the 31 August 2024. [Parent(s) or legal guardian(s) must show evidence of being active member(s) of the Church of England, or any church in membership of Churches Together in England, North West Partnership, or the Evangelical Alliance by a worship attendance of the stated frequency. First priority within this category given to siblings of pupils on the Academy roll.]
3. 3Active Church member (parent) – not less than fortnightly over two years — not less than fortnightly over a period of two years from 1 September 2022 to the 31 August 2024. [First priority within this category given to siblings of pupils on the Academy roll.]
4. 4Active Church member (parent) – not less than monthly over two years — not less than monthly over a period of two years from 1 September 2022 to the 31 August 2024. [First priority within this category given to siblings of pupils on the Academy roll.]
5. 5Active Church member (parent) – not less than weekly over one year — not less than weekly over a period of one year from 1 September 2023 to the 31 August 2024. [First priority within this category given to siblings of pupils on the Academy roll.]
6. 6Active Church member (parent) – not less than fortnightly over one year — not less than fortnightly over a period of one year from 1 September 2023 to the 31 August 2024. [First priority within this category given to siblings of pupils on the Academy roll.]
7. 7Active Church member (parent) – not less than monthly over one year — not less than monthly over a period of one year from 1 September 2023 to the 31 August 2024. [First priority within this category given to siblings of pupils on the Academy roll.]
8. 8Occasional worshipper (parent) – minimum six times over one year — Children with a parent(s) (see note c) who is an occasional worshipper at the Church of England or a church in membership of (see note d) Churches Together in England, the Free Churches Group or the Evangelical Alliance. Occasional worshipping is defined as a minimum of six times for a period of at least one year from 1 September 2023 to the 31 August 2024. [First priority within this category given to siblings of pupils on the Academy roll.]
9. 9Occasional worshipper (child) – minimum six times over one year — Children who are occasional worshippers at the Church of England or a church in membership of (see note d) Churches Together in England, the North West Partnership, or the Evangelical Alliance. Occasional worshipping is defined as a minimum of six times for a period of at least one year from 1 September 2023 to the 31 August 2024. [First priority within this category given to siblings of pupils on the Academy roll.]
10. 10Children of Academy staff — Children with a parent employed by the Academy on a permanent contract, either on a full or part-time basis for at least two years prior to 1 September in the year of application. [First priority within this category given to siblings of pupils on the Academy roll.]
11. 11Feeder Church of England primary school attendance — Children who have attended The Redeemer Church of England Primary School, Blackburn, Mellor St Mary's Church of England Primary School, St Aidan's Church of England Primary School, St Francis Church of England Primary School, St Gabriel's Church of England Primary School, St Paul's Church of England Primary School Hoddlesden, St Oswald's Church of England Primary School, Knuzden and Belthorn Academy, for the whole of year 5 in the school year before the closing date for applications. [First priority within this category given to siblings of pupils on the Academy roll.]
12. 12Active member of major world faith (parent) — Children with a parent(s) or legal guardian(s) (see note c) who shows evidence of being active members of the major world faiths who are in membership of the UK Interfaith Network (www.interfaith.org.uk); in addition to Christians, it includes Buddhists, Baha'is, Hindus, Jains, Jews, Muslims, Sikhs, Zorastrianeeps. The parent must meet the normal religious obligations of the faith. The governors will request confirmation of this from the relevant member of the clergy or worship leader. [First priority within this category given to siblings of pupils on the Academy roll.]
13. 13Distance — Other children on the basis of distance from the front door of their home to the Academy, measured by a straight line from the Duckworth Street pedestrian gate, giving highest priority to those living nearest the academy. (The distance is calculated by the local authority's computerised system.)

If two applications tie: Where there are more applicants for the available places within a category, then the distance between the Ordnance Survey address points for the school and the home measured in a straight line will be used as the final determining factor, nearer addresses having priority over more distant ones. Where the cut-off point is for addresses within the same building, then the single measure between address points will apply and the Local Authority's system of a random draw will determine which address(es) receive the offer(s). The draw will take place at the Local Authority's offices, and the names will be drawn by a local authority officer who is independent of the admissions process.

Within criteria 2–12, first priority is given to siblings of pupils on the Academy roll (including sixth form) at both the closing date (31 October 2024) and date of admission (1 September 2025). Category 13 (distance) is also used as a tie-break in categories 2–12 if the admission number of 250 is reached during consideration in any of those categories (note: the policy states PAN as 260 in one place and 250 in another – the document contains this apparent inconsistency). A supplementary information form must be completed for all applications considered on faith criteria, returned to the Academy by 31 October 2024.

Published by the admission authority. Meeting a criterion never guarantees a place — it sets the order places are offered in. Full detail, other entry points and previous years are on the Admissions tab.