St Michael's CofE Aided Primary

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 / Previously Looked After Children — A "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 admission authority) to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a results of being adopted. A looked after child is a child who is (a) in the care of a local authority, or (b) being provided with accommodation by a local authority in the exercise of their social services functions (see the definition in section 22(1) of the Children Act 1989).
2. 2Vulnerable Children — i. children of families with confirmed refugee status ii. Children with a medical condition or disability where written evidence is available from a senior clinical medical officer and the child's general practitioner or specialist showing that it would be detrimental to the child's health not to admit him/her to the school rather than any other. Details of this must accompany the initial application. iii. Children where either parent has a disability which would make travel to a different school difficult. Evidence from a registered health professional such as a doctor or social worker will be required. Details of this must accompany the initial application.
3. 3Service Children — Applications from service personnel moving into Wiltshire will be considered in advance of a non-service family moving into the county if necessary. Where possible, an application must be included in the normal admission round. An official letter, such as a posting notice or letter of support from the Commanding Officer should be sent to the admissions team.
4. 4Children of Staff — Priority may be given to children of staff in either or both of the following circumstances: a) Where the member of staff has been employed at the school for two or more years at the time at which the application for the admission to the school is made, and/or b) The member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage.
5. 5Siblings (Living within designated area) — A child is considered in this category if an older sibling is attending the school at the deadline date, and will continue to do so when the sibling is admitted, and where the child lives within the designated area at the same address as the older sibling. Sibling refers to brother or sister, half brother or sister, foster or 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.
6. 6Practising Christians (Living within designated area) — Those children from within the designated area who are regular practising Christians, of whatever denomination (defined as attendance once a month at least twelve months prior to application.), at a recognised church or religious group (a recognised church is one that subscribes to the Churches Together in Britain and Northern Ireland). Confirmation of status will be requested from the relevant priest/pastor.
7. 7Other Children (Living within designated area) — Children resident within the designated area who do not qualify under one of the criteria above.
8. 8Siblings (Living outside designated area) — A child is considered in this category if an older sibling is attending the school at the deadline date, and will continue to do so when the sibling is admitted, and where the child lives outside the designated area at the same address as the older sibling. Sibling refers to 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.
9. 9Practising Christians (Living outside designated area) — Those children from outside the designated area who are regular practising Christians, of whatever denomination, (defined as attendance once a month at least twelve months prior to application), at a recognised church or religious group (a recognised church is one that subscribes to the Churches Together in Britain and Northern Ireland). Confirmation of status will be requested from the relevant priest/pastor.
10. 10Other Children (Living outside designated area) — Children resident outside the designated area who do not qualify under one of the criteria above.

If two applications tie: If two or more children with the same priority for admission, live an indistinguishable distance from the school, but cannot all be admitted, then the available places will be decided by the casting of lots by someone independent of the school or the Local Authority.

Where this school is named in a child's Statement of Special Educational Needs, the governing body recognises a duty to admit the child to the school. The Governors have agreed to the statutory limit of a maximum class size of 30 pupils in Key Stage 1. Certain exceptions to class size limits may be considered: Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), Service children, children of multiple birth, or children resident within the village boundary. Distance is the tie-breaker within each criterion (straight-line distance measured by Ordnance Survey eastings and northings; those living closer given priority). Supplementary application form required for faith preference, to be returned by 15th January 2026.

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.