Bishop Aldhelm's Church of England Primary 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. 1Looked After Children — Children in public care (Looked After Children) and previously Looked After Children as defined by section 1.7 of the Schools Admissions Code 2021 – see Explanatory Note 1.
2. 2Significant medical/psychological condition — Children who have a significant medical or psychological condition – see Explanatory Note 2.
3. 3Sibling — Children who, at the time of application, have a sibling already on roll at the school and who will still be attending the school in the following academic year – see Explanatory Note 3.
4. 4Catchment + faith — Children who live within the school's designated catchment area who regularly attend worship at a recognized Christian Church, and whose parents request admission on religious grounds – see Explanatory Note 5 for catchment definition and Explanatory Note 7 for faith criteria definition.
5. 5Catchment + Early Years Pupil Premium — Children who live within the school's designated catchment area who are eligible for early years pupil premium who are in the school's pre-school class – see Explanatory Note 4.
6. 6Catchment + staff children — Children who live within the school's designated catchment area and are children of qualified teaching staff employed at the school for two or more years at the time of application and/or the member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage – see Explanatory Note 6.
7. 7Other catchment children — Other children living within the school's designated catchment area.
8. 8Outside catchment + faith — Children who live outside the school's designated catchment area who regularly attend worship at a recognized Christian Church, and whose parents request admission on religious grounds – see Explanatory Note 5 for catchment definition and Explanatory Note 7 for faith criteria definition.
9. 9Outside catchment + Early Years Pupil Premium — Children who live outside the school's designated catchment area who are eligible for early years pupil premium who are in the school's pre-school class – see Explanatory Note 4.
10. 10Outside catchment + staff children — Children who live outside the school's designated catchment area and are children of qualified teaching staff employed at the school for two or more years at the time of application and/or the member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage – see Explanatory Note 6.
11. 11Other outside catchment children — Other children living outside the school's designated catchment area.

If two applications tie: If the school is oversubscribed from within any of the criteria, then distance, as defined in Explanatory Note 10 will be used to prioritise applications. Should there be two or more identical distances requiring prioritization, this will be done by drawing lots.

Applications submitted by 15 January 2027 will be dealt with first.

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.