St Matthias Church of England Primary School

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 — Relevant *‘Looked After’ children and previously *‘Looked After’ children.
2. 2Siblings, with priority by nearness of home to school — Children who have a brother or sister in school, at the time of admission, with priority given to nearness of home to school by direct line measurement. The measurement will be taken using the GeoCode Points for each property and the GeoCode point for the centre of the school. The Governing Body will utilise the Local Authority software package called Arcview GIS to determine distance. Ordnance Survey supply the co-ordinates that are used to plot an address within this system. (In the event of equi-distance applicants, any places will be allocated by random selection. Someone totally independent of the Governing Body will supervise this process.) The sibling link, as well as brother or sister, includes step children, half siblings - that is children who share one birth parent, fostered and legally adopted children. Siblings must be living at the same home address.
3. 3Practising Anglican/Christian church members for whom this is nearest church aided school — Children of practicing members of an Anglican or other Christian Church for whom this is the nearest Church Aided School. Parents wishing to apply for a place for their child under this category should submit a letter from the minister of their church with their application form. The Governors are happy to receive applications from members of the Church of England and from other Christian denominations, which are affiliated to the Council of Churches for Britain and Ireland. "Practicing membership" is interpreted as attending church at least monthly for at least one year prior to application.
4. 4Practising members of another established faith — Children whose parents are practicing members of a community of any other established faith. A Leader or representative of the religious community should provide written confirmation.
5. 5Children of school staff at time of admission — Children whose parents are employed at St. Matthias School at the time of admission.
6. 6In-catchment children, priority by nearest distance — Pupils whose principal address is within the school’s catchment area. 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 centre of the school. (In the event of equi-distance applicants, any places will be allocated by random selection. Someone totally independent of the Governing Body will supervise this process.)
7. 7Out-of-catchment children, priority by nearest distance — Pupils whose principal address is out of the school’s catchment area. 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 from the front door of the pupil’s home to the nearest school entrance, which is the access point to the school site, along a road or made-up footpath. (In the event of equi-distance applicants, any places will be allocated by random selection. Someone totally independent of Childrens’ Services will supervise this process.)

If two applications tie: Random selection supervised by someone independent of the Governing Body, except siblings of multiple births where the first born child has priority.

EHCP/Statement of SEN naming the school takes precedence above oversubscription criteria: 'Pupils, for whom the school is identified as most suitable to fulfil educational requirements as set out in a statutory Statement of Special Educational Needs or Education and Health Care Plan will be allocated a place.' Nursery has 26 places but does not guarantee Reception place. KS2 classes may exceed PAN by up to 2 places under Fair Access Protocol. CATCHMENT: Pupils whose principal address is within the school’s catchment area. 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.

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.