St John Church of England Primary School, Farnworth

When there are more applications than places for 2027-28 (Reception), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1. 1Children in public care and previously looked after children — 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 criterion 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.
2. 2Vulnerable children with a child protection plan — Vulnerable children for whom there is a child protection plan or has been within 12 months (see definition under section 47 of the Children Act 1989).
3. 3Siblings — Children who will have an older sibling in Years Reception to Year 6 of the school at the time of application and date of admission. Sibling includes full, step, half, foster and adopted brothers and sisters living at the same address.
4. 4Children in regular attendance at public worship — Children who, with an appropriate adult, are in regular attendance at public worship. This is considered to be at least 12 attendances over the 12 months prior to application for admission to the school, either: a) at a Church of England church within the Farnworth and Kearsley Parish or, b) at another Christian church, any church which is designated under the Ecumenical Relations Measure nationally by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York or locally by the diocesan bishop, or is a member of Churches Together in England, or the Evangelical Alliance, or a partner church of Affinity. Applicants seeking admission under this criterion should complete the Supplementary Information Form and return it to the school by the closing date. Verification of regular attendance of the child's parent(s)/guardian(s) at public worship must be provided by a member of the clergy or other designated church officer.
5. 5Exceptional medical condition or disability — Children whose exceptional medical condition or disability mean that their needs can only be met at this school. Parents applying under this criterion must provide professional supporting evidence in the form of a letter from the child's GP/consultant. This must set out the particular reasons why the school is the most suitable for the child and the difficulties that would be caused if the child had to attend another school.
6. 6Any other children by proximity — Any other children, with priority given to those living nearest to the school. The distance will be measured in a straight line, using a computerised mapping system which measures from the child's normal home address point to the designated main entrance to the school.

If two applications tie: If the distance from home to school does not distinguish between two or more applicants with equal priority for the final place, random allocation will be used as a tie-breaker. This will be supervised by someone independent of the school.

Policy is pending consultation in October 2026. The SIF supplementary form references 'Seven Saints parish' rather than 'Farnworth and Kearsley Parish' as stated in the main policy criteria.

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.