Croft 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 — A ‘looked after child’. A looked after child is a child who is a) looked after by a local authority or b) being provided with accommodation by a local authority in the exercise of their social services functions, in accordance with section 22 (1) of the Children Act 1989. Details of eligibility must be supplied by the allocated social worker or foster carer. Or A child who was previously looked after but immediately after being looked after became subject to an adoption, child arrangement order, or special guardianship order. This includes children who appear to the admission authority to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in care as a result of being adopted. Proof of eligibility will be required.
2. 2Significant medical or social need — Children for whom it is essential to be admitted to the Academy because of special circumstances to do with significant medical or social needs, which relate to the child or an immediate member of the child’s family. Applications must be supported by medical evidence from a GP or hospital consultant, social worker, or similar professional. The supporting evidence should set out the particular reason why the Academy is the most suitable and the difficulties that would be caused if the child had to attend another school. This evidence must be sent to the Academy by the application closing date, for the applicant to be considered under this criterion.
3. 3Sibling on roll at the Academy — Children who, on the date of application, have a sibling (e.g. a natural brother or sister, or a half brother or sister, or a legally adopted brother or sister or half-brother or sister, or step-brother or sister) who is living with them at the same address and on roll of the Academy.
4. 4Children of staff — Children of staff, where the member of staff has been employed by the Academy for 2 or more years at the time of application, or the member of staff was recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage.
5. 5Children living nearest the school — Children living nearest the school. Distance will be measured in a straight line from the centre point of the home address to the centre point of the school address using the Local Authority’s computerised measuring system.

If two applications tie: If there are more siblings than there are places available, the places will be offered to the siblings who meet clause 5d and 5e in this order. In the event of a tie break under 5e random allocation will be used, which will be undertaken by a person independent of TEFAT.

Document refers to 'the Academy' without naming it; TEFAT (trust) referenced in tie-break section. EHCP admissions occur before oversubscription criteria per clause 5 preamble. Nursery PAN of 24 FTE also given but nursery entry not in scope. Infant class size legislation applies (max 30 per teacher, with multiple birth exception). Transcribed from the school's own determined admission arrangements as published by Walsall Council. Children with an EHCP naming the school are admitted first; that is a statutory duty, not an oversubscription criterion. The policy text refers to the school only generically (as "The Academy"); it was identified from the document's own published title, "Croft Academy Determined Admissions Policy 2027/28".

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.