Rufford Primary School

When there are more applications than places for 2026-27 (Reception), 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 — First priority for admission shall be given to relevant looked after children or children who were previously looked after but immediately after being looked after became subject to an adoption, residence, or special guardianship order;
2. 2Serious and ongoing medical condition — Second priority for admission shall be given to children with a "serious and ongoing medical condition" where Rufford Primary School is the most appropriate school to meet the condition;
3. 3Siblings attending the school — Third priority for admission shall be given to children who have a sibling who will still be attending Rufford Primary School in September 2026;
4. 4Children of staff — Fourth priority for admission shall be given to children of any member of staff in either or both of the following circumstances: I. where the member of staff has been employed at the school for two or more years at the time at which the application for admission to the school is made; and/or II. the member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post at the school for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage. This priority will be applied to all members of staff of Rufford Primary School, employed by Invictus Education Trust on a permanent contract of employment.
5. 5Distance from school — Any places that remain available once the above applicants have been admitted will be filled according to those children who live closest to the school, determined by a straight-line measurement in metres, from the home address to the main entrance of Rufford Primary School.

If two applications tie: Random allocation will be used as a tie break, to decide who has the highest priority for admission if the distance between two children's homes and the school is the same.

EHCP: 'In accordance with legislation, a child with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) will be offered a place at the school named in the EHCP as the most appropriate to meet the child's individual needs. This may reduce the number of places available for children who do not have an EHCP.' Special conditions apply for twins/triplets: school will exceed admission number to prevent separation if one of a set does not gain admission. Transcribed from the school's own determined admission arrangements as published by Dudley MBC admission arrangements directory. Children with an EHCP naming the school are admitted first; that is a statutory duty, not an oversubscription criterion.

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.