St Marks V.A.P. School

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 Children — Current and former Looked After Children (children who are looked after by a Local Authority in accordance with Section 22 of the Children Act 1989).
2. 2Siblings — Siblings of children already in the school at the time of admission. This will include any full, half or step brothers or sisters or adopted or fostered child living at the same address as a child already in the school.
3. 3Merlins Bridge community — Children residing within the community of Merlins Bridge. (Please see map at end of this document which may be used as a guide.)
4. 4Church in Wales members — Children of practising members of the Church in Wales (application to be supported by a statement from their Parish Priest).
5. 5Other Christian denominations — Children of parents of other Christian denominations who wish their child to have a church school education (application to be supported by a statement from their Faith Leader).
6. 6Other faiths — Children of parents of other faiths who wish their child to have an Anglican Church school education.

If two applications tie: In the event of a tie when considering the over subscription criteria, the Governors will admit those applicants who live nearest the school. In the case of a child whose parents have joint/shared responsibility the residence of the parent who has the greater responsibility during the school week will be the determining address. Proof of residency (dated within the last three months) will be required in the form of one of the following: Council Tax statement, Utility bill, Benefit statement e.g. Child Allowance, Pension, Mortgage statement, Bank / Building Society statement, Credit Card statement. The Governing Body will use the shortest walking route, calculated using Ordnance Survey customised route data from the front door of the school to the front door of the residence of the applicant. Where necessary, the Governors will request assistance from the local authority to determine the shortest route.

Multiple births: 'In the event of children resulting from a multiple birth applying for places at our school, they will be considered as a unit and either all or none will be offered a place, dependant on whether admitting them all would cause the admission number to be exceeded. If the last child to be admitted up to the Admission Number is one of a multiple birth then the other sibling(s) of that multiple birth would also be admitted.' Armed forces: 'The children of armed forces personnel will be admitted outside the normal admission round, even if their admission would cause the infant class size limit to be exceeded. (Subject to the above oversubscription criteria)' Appeals: 'If entry is refused then parents have the right of one appeal per academic year to an independent body that the Governing Body would set up. (There may be a second appeal if there appears to have been faults in the first hearing or if there has been a significant and material change in the circumstances of the parent or young person or school (i.e. medical reasons or house move.)) Parents who are unsuccessful should appeal in writing to the Chair of the Governing Body c/o St. Mark’s V. A. School, Merlins Bridge, Haverfordwest, SA61 1JX. Parents will be allowed 14 days (10 working days) from the date of notification that their application was unsuccessful to prepare and submit their written appeals. Receipt of appeal requests will be acknowledged. Appellants will be given at least 14 days (10 working days) written notice of the date of their appeal hearing. Only parents of children of statutory school age may appeal against refusal.' Waiting list: 'A waiting list of unsuccessful applications will be maintained until the normal date of admission is reached. If a place becomes available, the Governors will consider those on the waiting list on the basis of the published over subscription criteria. If the Governors place an application on the waiting list it will not affect the parent’s right of appeal. For applications received outside the normal admission rounds (e.g. pupils of non-compulsory school age who wish to join the nursery) waiting lists are held until the end of the academic year.'

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.