Liberty Academy

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. 1Looked after children — Children who are either currently or have previously been 'looked after' – a 'looked after child' 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. 2Exceptional medical/social factors — Pupils with very exceptional medical and/or social factors directly relating to school placement. Applications under this criterion must be supported by written evidence from a doctor or other professional practitioner and considered on a case by case basis.
3. 3Named feeder schools — Pupils attending Newland St John's Church of England Academy and St James' Church of England Academy (Heartwood Learning Trust primary schools).
4. 4Sporting aptitude — Pupils who have passed the sporting aptitude criteria outlined in Appendix 2, to no more than ten percent of the total admissions intake (27 students). The Academy will seek to maintain this 10 percent balance in each year group.
5. 5Proximity - Zone A — Admission of pupils on the basis of proximity to the Academy within Zone A (see Appendix 1). Priority given to those living nearest the Academy, measured by shortest available safe walking route.
6. 6Siblings — Admission of pupils who have one or more siblings currently attending the Academy and who will continue to do so on the date of admission.
7. 7Proximity - Zone B — Admission of pupils on the basis of proximity to the Academy within Zone B (see Appendix 1). Priority given to those living nearest the Academy, measured by shortest available safe walking route.
8. 8Any other pupils — Any other pupils, with priority given to those living nearest the Academy.
9. 9Within-category tie-break by proximity — Where in any category there are more applicants than there are places available, places will be allocated within that category on the basis of proximity to the Academy as set out at 6(c), (e) and (g) above.

If two applications tie: If proximity to the Academy does not distinguish between two or more applicants with equal priority for the remaining place, random allocation will be used as the final tie-breaker, supervised by someone independent of the Academy.

Children with an EHCP naming the Academy are admitted before the numbered oversubscription criteria are applied. Sporting aptitude selection (criterion d) is capped at 10% of intake (27 places) and uses a detailed points-based assessment described in Appendix 2.

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.