Spire Junior School

When there are more applications than places for 2027-28 (Year 3), 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 — A current looked after child, or a child who was previously looked after but immediately afterwards became subject to an adoption, child arrangements or special guardianship order, including those who appear to the admission authority to have been in state care outside England and ceased to be so as a result of being adopted. A looked after child is one in the care of a local authority, or being provided with accommodation by a local authority in the exercise of its social services functions.
2. 2Living in the normal area, with a brother or sister at the school — Children living in the normal area served by the school at the time of application and admission who have brothers or sisters attending the school at the time of application and admission. Brother or sister includes a half-brother or half-sister, a legally adopted child, and a step-brother or step-sister residing in the same family unit.
3. 3Living in the normal area served by the school — Children living in the normal area served by the school at the time of application and admission. Living in the normal area means the child has settled residence in a property that is their only or main residence; documentary evidence such as a council tax or utility bill, or a sale or rental agreement, may be required.
4. 4Outside the normal area, with a brother or sister at the school — Children not living in the normal area served by the school but who have brothers or sisters attending the school at the time of application and admission. Brother or sister includes a half-brother or half-sister, a legally adopted child, and a step-brother or step-sister residing in the same family unit.
5. 5Other children whose parents have requested a place — All other children whose parents have requested a place.

If two applications tie: Where children satisfying the same criterion have to be separated, those living nearest the school are given preference, measured by straight-line distance. Derbyshire uses a geographic information system accurate to within 2 metres, measured from the postal address file — normally the house front door — to the centre of the school for primary phase schools.

Derbyshire County Council is the admission authority for community and voluntary controlled schools and sets these rules; a child with an education, health and care plan naming the school is admitted regardless. A place cannot be guaranteed for any child, even one living in the school’s normal area, and the council reserves the right to withdraw an offer obtained through misleading or fraudulent information. Where you live matters here: a child in the school’s normal area with no brother or sister at the school ranks above a child from outside it who has one.

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.