St James' 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 — ‘Looked after’ and previously ‘Looked after’ children. "A “looked after child” has the same meaning as in section 22(1) of the Children Act 1989, and means any child who is (a) in the care of the local authority or (b) being provided with accommodation by them in the exercise of their social services functions (eg children with foster parents) at the time of making the application to the school. A “previously looked after child” is a child who immediately moved on from that status after becoming subject to an adoption, child arrangement order or special guardianship order and includes those children who appear to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state case as a result of being adopted.
2. 2Children living in the catchment area — Children living in the catchment area of the school* at the time of allocation of places. Copies of the catchment map are available from County Hall if required. A list of catchment postcodes is available in Appendix 1 of this policy. Alternatively, you can find out if a particular address falls within a catchment area of a school by using the ‘Catchment area Search’ facility on the Worcestershire County Council website. In cases of over subscription, places will be allocated first to children living nearest to the school by the shortest straight-line distance. The measurement will be taken using the Geocode Points for each property and the Geocode point for the School (In the event of equal distant applicants, any place will be allocated by random selection (lottery). Someone independent of the governing body will supervise this process).
3. 3Siblings — Children who would have at the time of allocation of places, and still have at the time of admission, a sibling. (A sibling, as well as brother or sister, also includes half-siblings (children who share one birth parent), step-children and legally adopted children. They must also be living at the same home address).
4. 4Worship at a Christian church within catchment — Parents or the child are involved in the worship at a Christian church (churches who are members of Churches Together in England {www.cte.org.uk}) within the school catchment area. A letter from the parish priest or minister should accompany the application which only provides written confirmation of a history of at least monthly participation for a minimum period of a year prior to the date of application.
5. 5Children outside catchment living nearest to the school — Children living outside the catchment area who live nearest to the school by the shortest straight-line distance using the same method above. In the event of a multiple birth application, the Governing Body will admit over the PAN.

If two applications tie: Random selection (lottery), supervised by someone independent of the governing body, for equidistant applicants.

In accordance with legislation, a child with an Educational Health and Care Plan (EHCP) will be offered a place at the school named in the EHCP. Multiple birth applications may be admitted over the PAN. Full time education entitlement from September following fourth birthday; part-time or deferred entry possible by arrangement with Head Teacher. Waiting list maintained until 31 July 2026. CATCHMENT: Children living in the catchment area of the school* at the time of allocation of places. Transcribed from the school's own determined admission arrangements as published by Worcestershire County Council. Children with an EHCP naming the school are admitted first; that is a statutory duty, not an oversubscription criterion. | Previously recorded here: Worcestershire First & Primary allocation-day statistics, distance of last successful candidate (miles, crow-flies), NOD; 280mi source typo capped.

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.