Shaftesbury School

When there are more applications than places for 2026-27 (Year 7), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1. 1Looked after or previously looked after children, i.e., a “Child in Care” means any child who is in the care of a local… — Looked after or previously looked after children, i.e., a “Child in Care” means any child who is in the care of a local authority in accordance with Section 22 (1) of the Children Act 1989. A child who was “previously a Child in Care” means a child who after being Looked After became subject to an Adoption Order under Section 46 of the Adoption and Children Act 2002, a Residence Order under Section 8 of the Children Act 1989 or Special Guardianship Order under Section 14A of the Children Act 1989. This category also includes Internationally Adopted Previously Looked After Children (IAPLAC). These are also children outside of England, who were deemed to have been in the care of the State (or by the 3rd sector where no state provision is available) prior to their adoption.
2. 2Where a Child Protection Order or Child in Need document identifies that there is a need for the child to be educated in… — Where a Child Protection Order or Child in Need document identifies that there is a need for the child to be educated in a school closest to home or in an identified particular school/setting for their own safety.
3. 3Children who have a physical or medical disability where the identified school would be the only school providing specia… — Children who have a physical or medical disability where the identified school would be the only school providing specially adapted facilities to support the needs of the child or, in the case of the condition resulting in prolonged or recurring absence each year, would be best supported attending a particular school. This must be fully evidenced and supported by a community paediatrician or consultant.
4. 4Children living within the school’s catchment area who will have a sibling**(s) attending the school at the time of admi… — Children living within the school’s catchment area who will have a sibling**(s) attending the school at the time of admission.
5. 5Children of staff with at least two years continuous service with SAST, or who have been recruited to a vacancy to meet… — Children of staff with at least two years continuous service with SAST, or who have been recruited to a vacancy to meet a demonstrable skills shortage as at the date of application (in year) or relevant closing date under the LA co- ordinated scheme (normal year of entry) and who still intend to be employed with SAST at the time of the child's admission.
6. 6Children living within the school’s catchment area — Children living within the school’s catchment area.
7. 7Children living outside the school’s catchment area who will have a sibling**(s) attending the school at the time of adm… — Children living outside the school’s catchment area who will have a sibling**(s) attending the school at the time of admission.
8. 8Children living outside the school’s catchment area and who were attending one of the preferred school’s recognised feed… — Children living outside the school’s catchment area and who were attending one of the preferred school’s recognised feeder schools during the previous year (secondary schools only).
9. 9Children living outside the school’s catchment area who meet the faith criterion*** where the child is a regular practis… — Children living outside the school’s catchment area who meet the faith criterion*** where the child is a regular practising Christian at a Recognised Church or Religious Group prior to application.
10. 10All other children living outside the school’s catchment area — All other children living outside the school’s catchment area.

If two applications tie: If oversubscribed within any of the priority order categories above, places will be allocated on the basis of the shortest straight-line measurement using a geographical information-based system which identifies an Easting and Northing for the home address and the school building and calculates the distance between the two locations. Note - school transport is based on walking and driven distances.

Sherborne Area Schools' Trust is the admission authority for this school and determines one policy covering every school in the trust across Dorset and Somerset; Dorset Council coordinates applications. The trust notes that its primary schools are not always the feeder or catchment schools of The Gryphon School, King Arthur's or Sturminster Newton High.

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.