St Mary's Church of England Primary Academy

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 — Looked after children (children in care) and all previously looked after children, 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. Previously looked after children are children 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. 2Siblings in catchment area — Siblings of children already at the school living in the catchment area [for the definition of sibling and catchment area refer to items 2 and 3 in the definitions section of the Appendix 1]
3. 3Residence within catchment area — Residence within the catchment area of the school [for explanation of resident refer to item 2 in the clarifications section of Appendix 1. For explanation of catchment area refer to item 3 in the definitions section of Appendix 1].
4. 4Siblings out of catchment — Siblings of children already at the school living out of catchment [for definition of sibling and catchment area refer to items 2 and 3 in definitions section of Appendix 1].
5. 5Faith / committed Church members out of catchment — Children living out of the catchment area who have a faith and / or whose parents are committed Church members and wish them to receive an education in a school with a Church of England foundation [for explanation of committed Church member refer to item 3 in clarifications section of Appendix 1]. They should support this application by completing the Supplementary Information Form (SIF) in Appendix 2. Within this criterion the following hierarchy will be applied: a) Anglican b) other Christian denomination c) other organised religions
6. 6Children of staff — Children of staff where: a) a 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 b) the member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post where there is a demonstrable skill shortage
7. 7St Benet's MAT pupils out of catchment — Children who live outside the area served by the school who attend a school within St Benet's MAT at the opening date of the admissions round.
8. 8Resident out of catchment area — Resident out of the catchment area of the school [for explanation of resident and catchment area refer to items 2 and 3 in the clarifications section of Appendix 1].

If two applications tie: The child living the shortest distance from home to school in a straight line as the crow flies route should have priority. In the unlikely event of two or more applicants living the same distance and competing for a single place, lots will be drawn by someone independent of the school to determine the successful applicant.

A child who has an Education Health and Care Plan naming the school or academy is required to be admitted before oversubscription criteria apply. Waiting list ceases to be valid on 31 December 2026. Multiple births: if the final place is offered to a twin/triplet etc. and the remaining sibling(s) would ordinarily be refused, the Governors will offer places to the remaining sibling(s).

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.