Orion Spires

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. 1Children Looked After (CLA) — Children Looked After (CLA) — a child in the care of a local authority or being provided with accommodation by a local authority in the exercise of their social services functions, or a child who was previously looked after but immediately after being looked after became subject to an adoption, child arrangements, or special guardianship order, including those who appear to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted.
2. 2Pupil Premium Grant — Students entitled to the Pupil Premium Grant (up to 20% of the total places on offer); where applications exceed 20%, the Proximity criterion will be applied to select the 20%. Includes students eligible for free school meals (or ever in last 6 years), CLA-admitted students, children of currently/recently serving armed forces parents, or children of a parent who died in service and receives AFCS/WPS pension. Evidence must be provided with the application by 31 October 2026.
3. 3Sibling — Sibling on roll at the proposed time of entry — a brother or sister, half brother or sister, adopted brother or sister, stepbrother or sister, or the child of the parent/carer's partner, living in the same family unit at the same address, with the elder sibling still on roll when the younger child starts.
4. 4Children of staff — Priority given to children of staff (teachers, administration, site staff, and all other directly employed staff) where the staff member has been employed for two or more years at the time of application, or was recruited within the last two years to fill a vacant post with a demonstrable skill shortage, including school-based nurseries staff.
5. 5Medical or Social Needs — Children who have an exceptional medical or social need for a place at the school, supported by a written statement from a hospital consultant, special support service, social worker or other similar professional, confirming the school is the only one that can meet the child's defined needs.
6. 6Proximity — Distance measured in a straight line from the front door of the child's home address to the main entrance of the school building using the Local Authority's computerised measuring system; those living closest receive higher priority.

If two applications tie: If there are two identical distance measurements for different addresses of separate applicants, the tiebreak will be done by drawing lots.

Children with a statement of Special Educational Needs or EHCP naming the school are admitted first under separate statutory process; the published admission number is inclusive of such students, but this is not listed as a numbered 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.