St Helen's Catholic 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 / Previously Looked After Children — Priority will be given to children who are Looked After by a Local Authority (CLA) in accordance with Section 22 of the Children Act 1989 in each category. Equal priority will also be given to previously Looked After Children. (Code 2.32)
2. 2SEN Statement / IDP naming the school — Priority will also be given to an applicant with a Statement of Special Educational Needs (SEN) or an Individual Development Plan which names St. Helen's Catholic Primary School. (Code 3.51)
3. 3Baptised Catholic with sibling on roll — Catholic children who have been baptised in the Catholic Church who will have a sibling on roll at St. Helen's Catholic Primary School. (Baptismal certificate required)
4. 4Baptised Catholic — Catholic children who have been baptised in the Catholic Church. (Baptismal certificate required).
5. 5Baptised Christian (other denomination) with sibling on roll — Christian children who have been baptised in another Christian Denomination who will have a sibling on roll at St. Helen's Catholic Primary School. (Baptismal certificate or letter from a minister of religion required).
6. 6Baptised Christian (other denomination) — Christian children who have been baptised in another Christian Denomination. (Baptismal certificate or letter from a minister of religion required).
7. 7Other faiths with sibling on roll, no local school of own faith — Children from other faiths who will have a sibling on roll at St. Helen's Catholic Primary School where there is no provision for their children to attend a school of their own faith in the area (letter from minister of religion required).
8. 8Other faiths, no local school of own faith — Children from other faiths where there is no provision for their children to attend a school of their own faith in the area (letter from minister of religion required).
9. 9Sibling on roll, parents seeking Catholic environment — Children, who will have a sibling on roll at St. Helen's Catholic Primary School, whose parents are seeking a Catholic environment for their child's education and for whom a Catholic education is the prime consideration. Accompanying letter to be written to Governing Body clearly stating this aim.
10. 10Parents seeking Catholic environment, no sibling — Children whose parents are seeking a Catholic environment for their child's education and for whom a Catholic education is the prime consideration. An accompanying letter to be written to Governing Body clearly stating this aim.

If two applications tie: If the Governing Body is unable to admit all applicants who fall into the lowest criterion a tie-breaker will be applied where priority will be given to children who live closest to the school; as measured by the shortest available walking route. An independent Geographical System (GIS) carried out by the local authority is used to calculate home to school distances. This is determined from the applicant's home address to the school gate on Maes Y Cwm Street.

The Governing Body may admit any child without consideration to the above Criteria (with the exception of applicants in category 1 and 2) who demonstrate exceptional medical reasons. Evidence in support of such an application must be supported by a medical letter/report from a professional consultant or social services at the time of application, clearly stating why St. Helen's is the most suitable school and outlining any difficulties from attending a local authority school. (Code 2.39). Guidance Notes: To apply for a place at St Helen's Primary School, a parent/guardian must provide the following documentation: Baptism and birth certificates along with the admission application form which is available from the school. Proof of address should also be provided. Sibling definition, multiple births (excepted children), and provisions for UK Service personnel/Crown Servants' children (including excepted status for infant class size purposes) are set out. Only applications received by the published closing date will be considered in the initial round; late applications are considered only after all on-time applications, and may mean no place is available; in exceptional circumstances a late application may be considered by the Governing Body at the same time as the initial round (Code 3.15). Waiting List: Where a place has been refused, the applicant will be placed on a waiting list until 30th September in the year of admission; applications received outside the annual allocation round will remain on the waiting list until 30th September in the year of admission, after which a further application must be made. Right of Appeal: details of the procedure under the Education (Admission Appeals Arrangements) (Wales) Regulations 2005 are available from the Clerk to the Governing Body, St. Helen's Catholic Primary School, Maesycwm Street, Barry, CF63 4EH, sthelenscps@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk.

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.