Holden Lane Academy

When there are more applications than places for 2027-28 (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 cared for by a local authority and children who were previously looked after but ceased to be so 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. 2In-catchment with sibling — Children living in the catchment area of the school who have an older brother or sister attending at the time of admission (or at the linked junior school in the case of infant schools).
3. 3Other children in catchment — Other children living within the catchment area of the school.
4. 4Out-of-catchment with sibling — Children living outside the catchment area of the school who have an elder brother or sister at the school at the time of admission (or at the linked junior school in the case of infant schools).
5. 5Nearest by straight-line distance — Children who live nearest to the school as determined by a straight-line measurement from the child's home address point to the main entrance of the school.

If two applications tie: If priorities have to be decided within any of these categories, children will be placed in order of priority using distance from their home to the main entrance of the school as measured by straight line. Where distance is equal for two or more applications, a tie-breaker will be applied whereby places will be determined by random allocation.

The Local Authority will also consider any reasons put forward by parents in support of their preference, e.g. health or social wellbeing, which may move a child to the top of their assigned criterion category. Special arrangements apply for multiple births where only one place is available. CATCHMENT: Children living in the catchment area of the school who have an older brother or sister attending at the time of admission (or at the linked junior school in the case of infant schools). Transcribed from the school's own determined admission arrangements as published by Stoke-on-Trent City Council. Children with an EHCP naming the school are admitted first; that is a statutory duty, not an oversubscription criterion. This document is a single trust/diocesan policy covering 3 schools; the criteria above are the ones it prints for this school.

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.