Bishop Justus CofE School

When there are more applications than places for 2027-28 (Year 7), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1. 1Child looked after and previously looked after children — A Child looked after and previously looked after children, as defined below; thereafter categories A and B apply.
2. 2Aquinas Places (Category A) — Up to 100 places each year are designated as Aquinas places for children who attend a primary school within the Aquinas Church of England Education Trust. Priority will be given to children who attend a primary school within the Aquinas Church of England Education Trust. If there are more applicants than places in Category A, the Oversubscription Criteria below will be applied.
3. 3Open Places (Category B) — At least 140 places each year are designated as Open Places. Priority will be given to all other pupils applying for a place at Bishop Justus Church of England School. If there are more applicants than places in Category B, the Oversubscription Criteria below will be applied.
4. 4Children of staff — Bishop Justus give priority to children of all staff in either or both of the following circumstances: a) Where the member of staff has been employed at the academy for two or more years at the time at which the application for admission to the academy is made, and/or b) The member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage as defined below.
5. 5Sibling — Refers to brother or sister, half brother or sister, fostered or adopted brother or sister, step brother or sister, or the child of the parent/carer’s partner, and in every case, the child must be registered as living in the same family unit at the same address. The elder sibling must be still on the roll at the academy when the younger child starts school. Children with siblings in Year 11 who will have left Bishop Justus at the time of the younger child’s admission do not qualify.
6. 6Distance — Children who live the shortest distance to the academy, measured along a straight line from the child’s home to the main entrance of the school building.

If two applications tie: In the event that two or more applicants live the same distance from the academy, the place will be allocated by drawing lots in the presence of a person independent of the academy.

PAN of 240 is split into up to 100 Aquinas places (for children attending Aquinas Trust primary schools) and at least 140 Open places, each category having its own application of the numbered oversubscription criteria (staff children, siblings, distance) after Category A/B allocation and after looked after/previously looked after children priority.

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.