Merebrook Infant 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 and previously looked after children — Children who are looked after (LAC) and all previously looked after children (PLAC) including those children who appear (to the admission authority) to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted (IAPLAC).
2. 2Service premium — Children eligible for the service premium.
3. 3Catchment area with sibling — Children who live within the defined (catchment) area and who have a sibling at Merebrook Infant School at the time allocations are made and are expected to be on roll at the school at the time of the proposed admission and the place of residence is within the catchment area of the school. Proof of residence may be required.
4. 4Catchment area — Children who live in the area served by the school – the defined (catchment) area. Proof of residence will be required.
5. 5Children of staff — Children of staff 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 children of Staff who are recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage at the school. It is at the absolute discretion of the Board of Directors to determine when there is a demonstrable skill shortage
6. 6Sibling outside catchment — Children who live outside of the school’s defined area but have a sibling who are attending the school at the time allocations are made and are expected to be on roll at the school at the time of the proposed admission.
7. 7Outside defined area — Children living outside the defined area.

If two applications tie: In the event of there being more applicants meeting any of the criteria above, places will be allocated in distance order using the distance between the child’s normal home address and the school’s main entrance, measured in a straight line, using the council’s computerised measuring system with those living closest to the school receiving the higher priority. In the unlikely event of joint over subscription, having exhausted distance, random allocation will be used as the ultimate tie-breaker.

Multiple births: both twins/all siblings admitted even if over PAN if one remaining place available. Children of staff: if over PAN, priority given to full time Trust staff, then distance tie breaker.

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.