Hartland High School

When there are more applications than places for 2025-26 (Year 7), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1. 1Priority 1 – Looked after / previously looked after children — 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 (90) including those 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. A looked after child is a child who is (a) in the care of a local authority, or (b) being provided with accommodation by a local authority in the exercise of their social services function (see the definition in Section 22(1) of the Children Act 1989).
2. 2Priority 2 – Sports aptitude (up to 10% of PAN) — Hartland High School admits up to 10% of 180 students (18) each year by reference to aptitude in its chosen specialism – sport. Students applying for the sports specialism will undertake a series of tests to determine their aptitude in sport and will enter the 'Gifted and Talented Program'. Tests will include assessments of strength, agility, balance, flexibility, speed, co-ordination, reaction time and cardiovascular efficiency. Tests will be moderated according to the physical profile of each student. Priority in this category will be given to applicants who have the best performance scores.
3. 3Priority 3 – Children of staff — Any child of a member of staff employed by the school for two or more years at the time of application for admission to the school is made, and/or who were recruited to fill a vacant post where there is a demonstrable skill shortage. The family unit must live within the Local Authority area for the school being applied for. This includes stepchildren, foster children, and children of co-habiting partners.
4. 4Priority 4 – In-catchment siblings — Pupils whose home address falls within the designated area for the school whose siblings currently attend Hartland High School and who will continue to do so in September 2026 in Years 7-11.
5. 5Priority 5 – In-catchment pupils — Pupils living within the designated area for the school (Please see schools webpage for catchment area map).
6. 6Priority 6 – Out-of-catchment siblings — Pupils not living in the designated area and whose siblings currently attend Hartland High School and who will continue to do so in September 2026 in Years 7-11.
7. 7Priority 7 – All other children — Children other than those falling into priority 1-5 above.

If two applications tie: Priority within each category will be determined by distance from the school to home address. Reading School Admissions Team measure the straight-line distance from the home to the school using Ordnance Survey data points of the home and the school using computerised software from Reading Borough Council. Every address has a unique data point which is determined by the Eastings and Northings. This point can be anywhere on the property. This distance created is given in miles to 3 decimal points.

A child who has a statement of special educational need or an Education Health and Care Plan is required to be admitted to the school named on the child's statement (pre-criteria). Applications made via Reading School Admissions Team co-ordinated admissions arrangements. Closing date for on-time applications: 31 October 2025. Parents wishing to apply under the Sports Development Programme should complete a Supplementary Information Form.

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.