St Mary's CofE 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 and previously looked after children — Children in care and children who ceased to be in care because they were adopted (or became subject to a child arrangements order or special guardianship order), 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
2. 2Children of Service Personnel — Children of Service Personnel will also be given higher priority
3. 3Catchment area — Children resident in the catchment area of the School (i.e. the Ecclesiastical Parish of St. Mary's, Mucklestone)
4. 4Siblings / Special social or welfare needs — Children with siblings at the school. (Pupils who at the time of the application have older sibling/s in attendance at the school, who will still be attending at the proposed admission date). A sibling is defined as a brother or sister, half brother or sister, adopted brother or sister, step-brother or sister or the child of the parent/carer's partner where the child for whom the school place is sought, is living in the same family unit at the same address as that sibling. Children with special social or welfare needs. (Children distinguished from the great majority of other applicants either on medical grounds of by exceptional circumstances).
5. 5Regular Anglican Church attendance — Children whose parents are in regular attendance of the Anglican Church. (i.e. attendance at least six times in last twelve months with a letter of support from Religious Leader)
6. 6Regular other Christian Church attendance — Children whose parents are in regular attendance of another Christian Church. (i.e. attendance at least six times in last twelve months with a letter of support from Religious Leader)
7. 7Children of non-Christian religion — Children of non-Christian religion who wish for a school with a religious emphasis.
8. 8Any other children — Any other children.

If two applications tie: In the event of a tiebreak, applications will be arranged in order of priority according to how near their home addresses are to the school. Distance will be measured as the nearest practical walking route from the home address to the main school gate. The Local Authority uses a Geographical Information System (GIS) to calculate distance.

Criteria rank 4 appears to combine siblings and special social/welfare needs in a single bullet point as published. The document notes waiting lists will be kept until 31 December 2026. The document was adopted October 2025 with review date October 2026; the reference to 8 March 2026 deadline suggests arrangements are for September 2026 entry.

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.