St Thomas of Canterbury RC School

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. 1Baptised Catholic Looked after Children / Baptised Catholic Previously Looked after Children — Baptised Catholic Looked after Children / Baptised Catholic Previously Looked after Children. This includes looked after children from overseas.
2. 2Baptised Catholic children who are resident in the parish of St Cuthbert and living in the catchment areas of St Thomas — Baptised Catholic children who are resident in the parish of St Cuthbert and living in the catchment areas of St Thomas of Canterbury and St James the Great with a sibling in school at the time of admission of the younger child.
3. 3Baptised Catholic children who are resident in the parish of St Cuthbert and living in the catchment areas of St Thomas — Baptised Catholic children who are resident in the parish of St Cuthbert and living in the catchment areas of St Thomas of Canterbury and St James the Great.
4. 4Other Baptised Catholic children with a sibling in school at the time of admission of the younger child.
5. 5Other Baptised Catholic children.
6. 6Non-Catholic Looked after Children / Non-Catholic Previously Looked after Children — Non-Catholic Looked after Children / Non-Catholic Previously Looked after Children. This includes looked after children from overseas
7. 7Other children with a sibling in school at the time of admission of the younger child.
8. 8All remaining applicants.
9. 9A child’s “home address” refers to the address where the child usually lives with a parent or carer — A child’s “home address” refers to the address where the child usually lives with a parent or carer, and will be the address provided in the Common Application Form (“CAF”). Where parents have shared responsibility for a child, and the child lives for part of the week with each parent, the home address will be the address given in the CAF, provided that the child resides at that address for any part of the school week.
10. 10If in any category there are more applications than places available — If in any category there are more applications than places available, priority will be given on the basis of proximity to the school. This will be calculated (by using a straight line) using the LA computerised measuring system from the centre of the house to the main entrance of the school. In the event of distances being the same for two or more applicants and where this distance would be last place/s to be allocated, a random lottery will be carried out in a public place and the required number of names will be drawn out.
11. 11Children who are not offered a reception place for the September intake at their preferred school will automatically be — Children who are not offered a reception place for the September intake at their preferred school will automatically be placed on the school’s waiting list. The waiting list will be maintained only for the statutory period (until 31 December). Should any places become available they will be allocated in accordance with the Local Authority’s published admission criteria As children are added to the waiting list, the list will be re-ranked in accordance with the published admission criteria. This means that children can move both up and down the waiting list. After 31 December, if a parent wishes their child to continue to be considered for a school place, they will need to reapply for a place using the procedure for in-year admissions. For in-year admissions, waiting lists will be held for one term: Term 1: 1 September to 31 December Term 2: 1 January – 12 April Term 3: 13 April – 31 August. Parents will need to request for their child to be placed on an in year waiting list. Should any places become available they will be allocated in accordance with the Local Authority’s published admission criteria. After a
12. 12A parent/carer can defer the date their child is admitted to the school until later in the school year but not beyond th — A parent/carer can defer the date their child is admitted to the school until later in the school year but not beyond the point of compulsory school age and not beyond the beginning of the final term of the school year for which it was made. Alternatively, where parents wish, children may attend part time until later in the school year but not beyond the point they reach compulsory school age. Parents wishing to take either of these options should inform the school as soon as the place is offered so that appropriate arrangements can be made Parents of children born between 1st April and 31st August (summer born) may choose not to send their child to school until the September following their 5th birthday and request they are admitted outside of their normal year group, to reception rather than Year 1 i.e. starting in reception a year later than their age group. This request should be made to the school’s admissions panel in writing, giving reasons for the request, this should be done at the time the child would usually be expected to apply for a reception place.
13. 13For ‘In Year’ applications received outside the normal admissions round — For ‘In Year’ applications received outside the normal admissions round, if places are available they will be offered to those who apply through the local authority admissions portal. If there are places available but more applicants than places then the published admissions criteria will be applied.
14. 14All waiting lists will be maintained by the Local Authority.
15. 15If an application for admission has been turned down by the Governing Board — If an application for admission has been turned down by the Governing Board, parents can appeal to an independent appeals panel at Pupil and Student Services, 1st Floor, Town Hall Bolton BL1 1RU Tel 331036. This appeal must be sent in writing within 20 days of notification of refusal. The date of notification will be two days after posting by first class post. The parents must give their reasons for appealing in writing. The decision of the Appeals Panel is binding on the Governing Board.

"Admissions Policy 2027/28", published by the school on its own website (https://www.stoc.bolton.sch.uk/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Admissions-Policy-2027-2028.pdf).

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.