Whittington CofE (VA) Primary 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 and previously looked after children — '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 including those who appear to the school to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted.
2. 2Exceptional medical needs — There may be special reasons based on Medical Needs for a parent wishing that their child attend Whittington CE (VA) Primary School which may be considered as an exception and given priority over those applicants who fall under Priority C or D. In these circumstances it will be necessary for the parents to provide a written statement from the relevant professional advisor showing that a place at Whittington CE (VA) Primary School is essential for the ‘well being’ of the child.
3. 3In catchment, regular attendance at St John the Baptist parish church — Priority will be given to those children whose home address is within the catchment area designated by the Council, at the time of the offer of a school place, and whose parents attend the Parish church of St. John the Baptist, Whittington, on a regular basis*.
4. 4In catchment, regular attendance at another mainline Christian church — Priority will be given to those children whose home address is within the catchment area and whose parents attend another mainline Christian Church i.e. those churches affiliated to churches Together in Britain and Ireland and/or the Evangelical Alliance (or their local counterparts) on a regular basis*.
5. 5In catchment with sibling at the school — After that priority will be given to children within the catchment area who have an older sibling at the school on the day they are due to start there.
6. 6In catchment, nearest to school — After that priority will be given to those who live inside the catchment and whose homes are nearest to the school (as measured by a straight line from the home to the school-see the note on ‘Tiebreaker’ below for details of the measurement.)
7. 7Outside catchment but within ecclesiastical parish — After that priority will be given to those who live outside the catchment area but within the ecclesiastical parish of St John the Baptist, Whittington. (A map of the parish is available from the school office on request.)
8. 8Outside catchment, regular attendance at mainline Christian church — Priority will be given to those who attend a mainline Christian Church i.e. those churches affiliated to churches Together in Britain and Ireland and/or the Evangelical Alliance (or their local counterparts) on a regular basis*.
9. 9Outside catchment with sibling at the school — After that priority will be given to children outside the catchment area who have an older sibling at the school on the day they are due to start there.
10. 10Outside catchment, nearest to school — After that priority will be given to those outside the catchment area whose homes are nearest the school (as measured by a straight line –see ‘Tiebreaker’ below.)

If two applications tie: Where within any 1 category there are more applications than places, then places will be allocated by measuring the straight line distance on a computerised mapping system between the home address and the nearest entrance gate of the school by pinpointing their Easts and Norths. The shortest distance will be given highest priority. Where two addresses are within the same block of flats, the lowest number of flat nearest to the ground floor will be deemed to be the nearest in distance. In the event that two applications are exactly the same after all other criteria have been taken into account a further tie breaker will be used. This will be by random allocation and overseen by an independent party not connected with the admissions process.

Children with an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) naming the school are allocated places before oversubscription criteria are applied. Document header says '2020/21' but allocation timetable text specifies entry September 2026 (born 1.09.21-31.08.22), so cohort_start_year is taken as 2026. CATCHMENT: Priority will be given to those children whose home address is within the catchment area designated by the Council, at the time of the offer of a school place Transcribed from the school's own determined admission arrangements as published by Shropshire Council. Children with an EHCP naming the school are admitted first; that is a statutory duty, not an oversubscription criterion.

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.