St Mark'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 and previously looked after children, including those who appear (to the Governing Body) to have been in state care outside England but ceased to be in state care due to adoption. Previously looked after children are those who were looked after but ceased to be so because they were adopted, or became subject to a child arrangements order or special guardianship order.
2. 2Children with a sibling on roll at the school at the time of application
3. 3Children whose parent(s)/carer(s) live within the civil parish boundaries of Hadlow Down A map showing the parish boundaries can be found at the end of the policy and in the school office.
4. 4Children with known special medical or social needs which only St Mark’s CEP School can meet. 4 | P a g e Written supporting evidence must be provided at the time of application from an appropriate professional (e.g., doctor, social worker, educational psychologist).
5. 5Children of members of staff
6. 6Children whose parents/carers worship regularly at any of the Christian Churches in the Parish of Buxted and Hadlow Down.
7. 7Children whose parents/carers worship regularly at any other Anglican Church, or a church affiliated to Churches Together in Britain and Ireland or the Evangelical Alliance.
8. 8Children from outside the pre-defined community area Explanatory Notes & Definitions Criterion 1 – Looked After and Previously Looked After Children • All children adopted from care who are of compulsory school age are eligible under this criterion. • A child in the process of being placed for adoption is considered “looked after” if a Placement Order is in place. • Children who were not looked after immediately prior to adoption or the granting of a child arrangements order/special guardianship order are not prioritised under this criterion. Definitions: • A child arrangements order regulates where, when, and with whom a child lives (Children Act 1989, section 8). • A special guardianship order appoints one or more individuals as a child’s “special guardian” (Children Act 1989, section 14A). Children previously in state care outside England: A child is considered to have been in state care outside England if they were cared for or accommodated by: • a public authority, • a religious organisation, or • a provider of care whose sole or main purpose is to benefit society. The Local Authority’s Virtual School Head will verify such applications. Evidence is required to show the child was previously in state care outside England and subsequently adopted. Siblings A sibling is defined as a child living at the same address who is: • a full or half sibling, • an adoptive or foster sibling, • a step sibling, or • any child living permanently in the same household. Members of Staff For admissions purposes, a member of staff is defined as: a. Staff employed at the school for two or more years at the time of application; and/or b. Staff recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skills shortage.

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.