Oakwood High School

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 and previously Looked After Children — Looked After Children and previously Looked After Children (see note (a) below).
2. 2Medical reason — Children who have a specific medical reason, confirmed by a medical practitioner, which the Admissions Authority is satisfied makes attendance at this particular school essential. Parents should ensure that they provide full supporting information to be considered along with their application.
3. 3Compelling social reason — Children who have a compelling social reason which the Admissions Authority is satisfied make attendance at this particular school essential. The kind of overriding social reasons which could be accepted are where there is evidence that the children's education would be seriously impaired if he or she did not attend this school. Parents should ensure that they provide full supporting information to be considered along with their application.
4. 4Catchment area with sibling — Children who live in the catchment area of the school as defined by the Admissions Authority and it is expected will have an older brother or sister on the roll of this school in Years 8-11 at the start of the academic year 2026 (see notes (b), (c) and (d) below)
5. 5Catchment area — Children who live in the catchment area of this school as defined by the Admissions Authority (see note (b) below)
6. 6Sibling (outside catchment) — Children who it is expected will have an older brother or sister on the roll of this school in Years 8-11 at the start of the academic year 2027 (see notes (c) and (d) below)
7. 7Feeder school — Children who are on the roll of one of our feeder and associated primary/junior/junior and infant catchment area schools as identified by the Admissions Authority. (see note (e) below)
8. 8Children of staff — Children of staff who work for Oakwood High School meeting one the following criteria: a) where the member of staff has been employed in 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 within the school for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage.
9. 9Distance — Children who live nearest to the school, measured by a straight line on a horizontal plane, (commonly known as measurement 'as the crow flies').

If two applications tie: In the event of two distances being equal, lots will be drawn by a representative independent of the admission authority

Addresses measured as at 31st October 2026. Sibling definition includes multiple relationship types. Note: criterion 4 references 'academic year 2026' while criterion 6 references 'academic year 2027' — this appears to be a drafting inconsistency in the published policy.

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.