Admission to Blackpool primary schools 2024 – A guide for parents

Introduction

This information is to support you through the process of applying for a primary school place. It explains how the process works, what your rights as a parent or carer are and how to appeal if you are not offered a place for your child in one of your preferred schools or academies.

If you have made contact with your preferred school or academy earlier than this to express an interest in a place, you must still complete an application through the local authority. Please read the information carefully and if you have any queries please contact the school admissions team on 01253 476637.

Blackpool academies (excluding voluntary aided academies) currently delegate responsibilities for admissions and appeals to the local authority. All schools, academies and free schools have been referred to as school(s) in this information. The information is accurate at the time of publication. However, legislation may be reviewed and you are strongly recommended to consult Blackpool council’s website and any relevant school’s website for updates. You can apply online.

Alternatively, you can apply on a paper application form, which is available from any Blackpool primary school or the school admissions team. If you apply online, you must not complete the paper application form. Voluntary aided schools may also require a supplementary form to be completed in relation to applications based on faith. The supplementary form must be returned to the school before the closing date. You must complete and return an application form before the closing date of monday 15 January 2024. Do not wait until the final day to submit your application in case of computer failure or a delay in postal services.

The school admissions team can be contacted at: Children’s services department, PO Box 4, Blackpool FY1 1NA Telephone: 01253 476637 Email: schoolaccess@blackpool.gov.uk

When do children start at primary school?

Children must legally start at primary school from the term start after their 5th birthday.

All admission authorities must however provide for admission in the September after each child’s 4th birthday. This is when most children usually start school.

If your child was born between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2020 then they should start school on the first day of term in September 2024.

If you receive an offer for a primary school place for the September after your child’s 4th birthday you can defer the start date within the reception year (for 1 or 2 terms). The place will be held (reserved) and the start date would usually be at term start in January or March/April. (Even with deferred entry within the reception year the child must start school at term start after a 5th birthday).

If your child is summer born (has a birthday between 1 April and 31 August) you can decide to delay his/her primary start for a full school year – until the September after the 5th birthday. If this is your decision then your child will have missed the reception year and you will at a later date need to apply for a Year 1 place. There may then not be available Year 1 places at schools which were your original preferences. You may receive an offer for a place for a school which is further from your home address.

The vast majority of children do start primary school in the September after their 4th birthday.

A phased or part time start can be requested. Arrangements are to be agreed with each school or academy after offers have been finalised.

In the event that you are thinking of deferring your child’s entry into a primary school reception class please consider the following:

1. Your child will miss the gentle introduction to school which a reception class offers. This helps the child to become accustomed to school life
2. Your child may not understand why their friends/peers from nursery have moved on and they have not.
3. Your child may not be able to stay in nursery after his/her 5th birthday. This will create a gap between nursery provision and starting at a primary school
4. Your child will be placed with children who have already had the opportunity to adapt to primary school life and who have already formed friendships.

If your child is summer born and you feel that there are substantial and exceptional reasons why they should start Primary school in the September after a 5th birthday, and still have a reception start, you can apply for this to happen. Further details are available from the school admissions team 01253 476637.

You will need to apply for a primary school place at the usual time (before the statutory closing date) and confirm your request. You should also provide supporting information/evidence.

Substantial and/or exceptional may include developmental, educational, medical, social and welfare reasons. Premature birth and illness preventing nursery provision for most or all of the previous year will also be considered.

Please note however that the majority of children, including those with special and additional needs, do start school in the September following a 4th birthday.The final decision about any request for full year deferral with reception start is for each admission authority. There is no legal right for this to be agreed. Decisions about where children are placed within any school or academy are for individual head teachers and governors.

If your child has a special educational need and does not have an education, health and care plan (EHCP)

Not all children with special educational needs require an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP). If this is the case, you will need to follow the admissions process for mainstream applications. This is because your child will have their special educational needs met by their mainstream school through the graduated response as outlined in the SEND Code of Practice 2015.

Please use the mainstream application form and detail the special educational needs of your child in the space provided. This needs to be completed before monday 15 January 2024.

If your child is in the process of obtaining an education, health and care plan (EHCP)

Your child will access the admissions process for mainstream applications as outlined in this booklet. Should your child receive an EHCP during autumn term 2023, your application will be processed by the SEND team who will contact you directly.

If your child has an education, health and care plan (EHCP) in place

Your child’s early years setting will let you know that an annual review will be held in the autumn term 2023 where a discussion will take place about the primary school places you wish to consider. They will then consult with those schools and also make any amendments to the EHCP. If you have any questions about this, please contact our SEND team directly at send@blackpool.gov.uk identifying your child’s name, current setting and your requirement to start the “Phase Transfer” process. For children with an EHCP the phase transfer process needs to be completed by 16 February 2024.

If you have been asked to complete an application form by your early years SENCO, please answer the question identifying whether your child currently has an EHCP by checking the “YES” box. The admissions team and the SEND team will liaise to ensure that this application is handled from that point by the SEND officer that has been allocated to your child. The admissions team and the SEND team work closely together. If you have any concerns over your child’s placement, please contact send@blackpool.gov.uk or telephone them on 01253 476602.

How to apply for a place at a Blackpool primary school online

You must apply for a school place online before the closing date of Monday 15 January 2024.

Why should you apply online?

Some of the benefits of applying online are:

1. It is quick and easy to use
2. There is no risk that your application will be lost in the post
3. You will receive an email confirming that your application has been received
4. You can change your application up to the closing date

When can you use the online system?

This system will be available virtually 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There may be periods of time during the early hours of the morning that the system is closed due to technical reasons.

You will be able to apply online from friday 1 september 2023 until midnight on the closing date of monday 15 January 2024. Do not wait until the final day to submit your application in case of computer failure or unexpected technical difficulties in accessing the internet.

Will your application be secure?

The system has a series of security features that will prevent others from seeing your information. You should not disclose your username and/or password to anyone else.

Who makes the application?

The person who has parental responsibility should normally submit the application. If you do not have parental responsibility, you will need to explain why you are completing the application.

If you cannot finish the application, can you go back to it later?

You have until the closing date to complete your application. Every time you make a change to your online application, you should press ‘submit’. You will receive an email confirming the status of your application.

Once you are happy with your application, press ‘submit’ before the closing date to ensure your application is received.

If you do not receive an email acknowledgement immediately, please contact the school admissions team on 01253 476637, as there may be a problem with your application.

Should you send a paper copy as well?

You do not need to send a paper application providing you receive an email acknowledgement that your online application has been received.

If you are applying for a voluntary aided primary school, additional information might be required to assist the governors of the school in deciding whether your child qualifies for a place. If a supplementary form needs to be completed, it should be returned direct to the school before the closing date. You must still submit your online application.

How will you receive notification of the allocated school?

Blackpool’s online system will go live on the morning of Tuesday 16 April 2024 so you can view your offer. You will also receive an email during the morning confirming your child’s allocated school.

You may also need to provide the school with a copy of your child’s baptismal certificate.

Please read the school’s admission policy carefully – available from the individual schools, or their website.

What do you need to apply online?

You need access to a computer and an email account. The council offers free computer access at its libraries. Local library staff may be able to help you to set up a free email account.

How can you get information about schools online?

The school admissions web page gives links to school websites and other web pages giving information about schools (such as the OFSTED site).

You must only use the Blackpool online application if you are resident in Blackpool. Lancashire County Council also has an online system for people who live in the Lancashire area.

Can I use the online system during the academic year?

The online school admissions system is only for applying for a school place for a child who is due to start primary (or secondary) school the following September – Reception and Year 7 starters. There is no online access for in-year admissions.

How to apply for a place at a Blackpool primary school on a paper application form

You may apply on a paper application form, which is available on request from all Blackpool primary schools or the school admissions team. Do not complete a paper application form if you have applied online.Be sure to return the application before the closing date of monday 15 January 2024.

If you are posting your application, please allow adequate time for this to be delivered.

Even if you have a child already attending your preferred school, you must apply on time, as a late application will reduce your chances of obtaining a place for your younger child at that school.

Where to submit your application

If you are applying for a primary school, you must apply to the authority where you live. If you are unsure, for example if you live near council boundaries, it is whichever local authority you pay your council tax to.

You can apply for a primary school in any area, but you must apply to your home authority application forms must be returned to: School admissions team, Children’s services department, PO Box 4, Blackpool, FY1 1NA

You will receive an email confirming receipt of your application within 14 days. Please ensure your email address is printed clearly.If you do not receive this, please contact the school admissions team immediately as your application may not have been received.

A letter will be posted to you on monday 15 April 2024 confirming your child’s allocated school.

If you live outside the Blackpool area, please contact your home authority to request an application.

A Lancashire County Council application can be requested by ringing the Pupil Access Team on 01524 581148 or writing to the Area Education Office, White Cross Education Centre, Quarry Road, Lancaster LA1 3SE.

Lancashire County Council also operates an online admissions system for residents in the Lancashire areas. .

If you are applying for a voluntary aided primary school, additional information might be required to assist the governors of the school in deciding whether your child qualifies for a place. If a supplementary form needs to be completed, it should be returned direct to the school before the closing date. You must still submit your application to the school admissions team.

You may also need to provide the school with a copy of your child’s baptismal certificate.Please read the school’s admission policy carefully. This is available from the school, or its website.

Important points to remember when completing your application

Equal preference scheme

Blackpool Council operates an equal preference scheme, which is mandatory across the country. This scheme means that each school listed on your application will be considered independently and fairly against the school’s published oversubscription criteria.

You have the opportunity to express three preferences which should be listed in priority order. It is strongly recommended that you name three different schools to increase your chances of securing a school that is acceptable to you.

Do not be tempted to name the same school two or three times on your application as this will be considered as one preference only.

You are advised to consider a nearby school or academy for at least one of your preferences. It is important to take into account whether the admissions policy means it is likely that a place will be offered for your child.

All preferences are circulated between admission authorities and are considered equally at the same time. Voluntary aided schools are sent all the details they need in order to apply their own oversubscription criteria.

Where parents have requested a school outside of Blackpool, the details of the application, together with any supporting information provided by the parent(s), are forwarded to the relevant authority. Where a place can be offered at any or all of your preferred schools, a place will be allocated at the one that is highest on your preferred list.

If a place cannot be offered at any of the preferred schools, the local authority will allocate a school where places are available.

Please note the local authority will try to offer a place at one of your preferred schools, but in some cases this will not be possible, and a place will be offered at an alternative school.

Co-ordinated admissions scheme

All local authorities are required to co-ordinate admission arrangements for schools within their area.
You must apply for primary school places to your home local authority (the authority where you live and pay Council Tax to). You can include Lancashire primary schools on your Blackpool application - this information will be exchanged with Lancashire as part of the process to co-ordinate school admissions. Your home local authority will issue the offer of one primary school, on behalf of all admission authorities who operate within the co-ordinated scheme.

supplementary forms

Voluntary aided (Church) schools and some voluntary aided academies normally require a supplementary form to be completed. This additional information is used by the governing board to apply their oversubscription criteria. If the school is oversubscribed, a failure to complete the supplementary form may result in the application for a place in the school being considered against a lower priority criteria as the governing board will have no information upon which to assess the worship attendance. You may also need to provide the school with a copy of your child’s baptismal certificate.

You must still complete the common application in order for your application to be considered.

Timetable for primary admissions

Primary school admission timetable

Date	Action
Friday 1 September 2023	Parents can access the online application or obtain an application pack from Blackpool primary schools or the schools admissions team
By Monday 15 January 2024	Online applications must be submitted before midnight. Paper applications must be returned to the school admissions team by this date. Do not wait until the final day to submit your application in case of computer failure or a delay in postal services.
During this period, all applications are processed and all preferences are considered against the published admissions policy. The local authority will liaise and exchange information with all other admission authorities, including Lancashire County Council.
On Tuesday 16 April 2024	If you have applied online, you will receive an email confirming the allocated school. The online system will go live on the morning of Tuesday 16 April 2024. If you have applied on a paper application, the letter will be posted on Monday 15 April 2024. The letter may arrive at various times depending on the postal service in your area. If you are not satisfied with the allocated school, you may request an appeal form from the school admissions team, or from the school direct if you are appealing for a voluntary aided school.
By the end of May 2024	Appeals should be returned in order to be heard in the first round of appeals. Later appeals can be submitted but will not be heard until later in the year
June/July 2024	First appeals heard by the Independent Appeal Panels
September 2024	Pupils start primary school

 

Applying for a voluntary aided (faith) primary school/academy

Most voluntary aided schools/academies have a faith basis and serve their local community, therefore, anyone can apply for a place. The governing body of a voluntary aided school/academy decides the policy for allocation of places. The process for applying for a place at a voluntary aided primary school/academy is similar to applying for a place at a community or voluntary controlled primary school or academy, except that:

The governing body of a voluntary aided school/academy is responsible for determining eligibility for admission.

There are specific sections on the application that must be completed.

Parents who wish their application to a faith school to be considered against the faith criteria should also complete the supplementary form if this is required.

If the school is oversubscribed, a failure to complete the supplementary form may result in the application for a place in the school being considered against a lower priority criteria as the  governing  body will have no information upon which to assess the worship attendance. You may also need to provide the school with a copy of your child’s baptismal certificate.

Please note that you must still complete the common application in order for your application to be considered.

Admission policies for voluntary aided schools/academies differ from school to school. It is important that you check the admission policy of the school carefully even if you have an older child already attending that school.

Academies

Academies are publicly funded independent schools, free from local authority control. Other freedoms include setting their own pay and conditions for staff, freedoms concerning the delivery of the curriculum, and the ability to change the length of their terms and school days. Academies have the opportunity to manage their own admissions and appeals. However, the academies in Blackpool (excluding the voluntary aided academies) have delegated the responsibilities in relation to allocations, for admission in 2023, to the local authority. You will need to contact an academy to establish its appeal arrangements.

Independent schools

Independent schools set their own curriculum and admissions policies. They are funded through fees paid by parents. The school admissions and appeals codes do not apply to them. If you are considering applying for an independent school and do not wish your child to be allocated a school that is maintained by the local authority or an academy, please advise in writing which independent school you are applying for. Please be aware that if you do not apply for a maintained school or an academy before the closing date, and your child is not offered a place at an independent school, you reduce your chances of obtaining a place at a preferred school. If you apply for a maintained school or an academy and an independent school, and are fortunate to be offered a place at both, please confirm in writing, which school place you are accepting.

How places are allocated for Blackpool community and voluntary controlled primary schools and academies

In community schools, the local authority is the admissions authority, having responsibility for determining the arrangements for admitting pupils.

Voluntary controlled schools are mainly religious or ‘faith’ schools, although anyone can apply for a place. The local authority is the admissions authority, having primary responsibility for determining the arrangements for admitting pupils.

For academies, the governing board is the admissions authority. The primary school academies in Blackpool (excluding the voluntary aided academies), have delegated the responsibilities in relation to allocations for September 2024 to the local authority.

You can obtain full policies direct from the schools or their individual website.

The vast majority of all primary school children, including those with special educational needs, enjoy a successful education in a mainstream school.

Where a particular school is additionally resourced or has the required expertise, then priority for a place at the school is given to children who have an Education, Health and Care Plan that names the school.

A child’s nursery is not taken into consideration when allocating a primary school place

There are certain primary schools that have a nursery attached, but children attending the nursery do not automatically move into the primary school.

Oversubscription criteria

The ‘admission number’ is the number of pupils that the school can admit.

Priority is always given to parental preference, however, when there are more preferences than there are places available, the admission authority follows its oversubscription criteria to determine which children should be allocated a place at that school.

The oversubscription criteria are different for voluntary aided schools and certain academies, so it is a good idea to check the criteria for every school that you are interested in. You will need to contact individual schools to get a copy of their admissions policy.

The oversubscription criteria used to allocate places in community schools is detailed below. Certain academies have chosen to adopt the same criteria but you should confirm this with each academy.

Looked After Children

Blackpool Council gives the highest priority to Looked After Children (LAC), as required by the Education and Inspections Act 2006 and the Education (Admission of LAC) (England) Regulations 2006.

A looked after child is a child who is in the care of a local authority or provided with accommodation by that Authority, as defined in Section 22 of the Children Act 1989, at the time of application and allocation.

Under legislation, children who leave public care through adoption, a residence order or special guardianship order, will continue to be given the same priority although they are no longer looked after by the state.

Also children who were previously in state care outside of England and have ceased to be in state care as they have been adopted. These are children who were looked after outside of England by a public authority, a religious group or another provider of care whose sole purpose is to benefit society. Parents and carers will be expected to provide evidence of previous looked after status.

Medical/social/welfare reasons

Children for whom the council accepts that there are exceptional medical, social or welfare reasons associated with the child and/or family which are directly relevant to the school concerned.

Only exceptional reasons which are directly relevant to a particular school will be considered. If you feel that there are exceptional medical, social or welfare reasons associated with your child and/or family which support admission to a particular school you must indicate that this is the case on your application.

All applications will be considered but supporting professional evidence will be required to demonstrate exceptional or compelling reasons why only a specific school can cater for a particular child’s needs. This must set out the reasons and the level of risk to the child or family and why the school in question is the only suitable school; plus any difficulties which would arise if the child had to attend an alternative school.

It should be noted that all schools can make provision for special educational needs, and can also manage common conditions e.g. asthma, epilepsy, diabetes.

Only exceptional reasons directly relevant to a particular school will be considered. Priority will be given to the child for the preferred school only if the submitted evidence

unequivocally proves the circumstances and demonstrates why any alternative schools would be unsuitable.

Siblings

Priority will be given to brothers and sisters of children already attending the school at the time of application and allocation (the national statutory offer date).

This includes full brothers and sisters, half brothers and sisters, step brothers and sisters and adopted and foster brothers and sisters who are living within the same family at the same address.

Full brothers and sisters who do not live at the same address will still be given priority as siblings. Half, step, adopted and foster brothers and sisters who do not live at the same address will not be classed as siblings.

Distance

Blackpool Council determines the distance from the applicant’s home address to the school with the nearest to a preferred school having priority for a place.

The distance between the applicant’s home and school is taken as a straight line between the Local Land and Property Gazetteer (LLPG) address point of the applicant’s home address and of the school. The LLPG is a point within the boundary of the property and is usually located at its centre. Distances are measured using the council’s geographic information system.

If the local authority is unable to determine eligibility on distance, i.e. two or more addresses are equal distance from the school; a random allocation will be carried out. In the event of a random allocation, someone independent of the children’s services department and of the school would supervise the process, and parents/ carers would be invited to attend.

The local authority will investigate any apparent or alleged inaccuracies which come to light at any time during the allocation process.

School places will be withdrawn where they have been offered due to misleading or false information.

Joint residency and transport

A child’s residency may on occasion be 50/50 between two addresses over a school year. Parents may be required to provide evidence to support this information. However, it remains that only one address can be used for admission purposes. Parents will be given a short time to agree which is the child’s main address and to confirm preferences (this must be done quickly to allow the admissions process for all schools to proceed). If agreement is not possible the admission authority and / or the council will decide which address will be used. This will consider information from third parties. For example - child minders, nurseries, primary schools electoral and council tax records as well as child benefit arrangements (historic and current).Some children live with one parent part of the week and another for the rest.

Only one address can be used for school admission purposes. This should be where the child lives for most of the school week. If advice is needed, please contact the school admissions team 01253 476637.

Parents should be aware that entitlement to assistance with transport is assessed separately after the admissions process. You cannot use one address to apply for and access a preferred school place and then flip to another for transport assessment. This will not be accepted, even if the child’s pattern of residence changes.

There must be very exceptional reasons for the other address to be accepted. For instance, bereavement, house fire at one address, evidenced sale of one address.

Infant class size limits

Infant classes (those where the majority of children will reach the age of 5, 6, or 7 years during the school year) must not contain more than 30 pupils with a single qualified teacher.

Additional children may be admitted under limited exceptional circumstances. These children will remain an ‘excepted pupil’ for the time they are in an infant class or until the class numbers fall back to the current infant class size limit. The excepted children are:

1. Children admitted outside the normal admissions round with an Education, Health and Care Plan (previously known as a statement of special educational needs) specifying a school
2. Looked after children and previously looked after children admitted outside the normal admissions round;
3. Children admitted, after initial allocation of places, because of a procedural error made by the admission authority in the original application process
4. Children admitted after an Independent appeals panel upholds an appeal
5. Children who move into the area outside the normal admissions round for whom there is no other available school within reasonable distance (this is extremely unlikely to apply in Blackpool due to the size of town);
6. Children of UK service personnel admitted outside the normal admissions round
7. Children whose twin or sibling from a multiple birth is admitted otherwise than as an excepted pupil
8. Children with special educational needs who are normally taught in a special educational needs unit attached to the school, or registered at a special school, who attend some infant classes within the mainstream

Additional information

Late applications

Applications received after the closing date will be treated as late applications. Only in exceptional circumstances, and where appropriate evidence is provided, will those applications received after

The closing date (but before offers of places have been made) be considered alongside those received on time.

If you move into the area after the closing date, it is possible that your preferred schools will be fully allocated. A place will, therefore, be allocated at the closest school with availability.

Even if you have a child already at your preferred school, submitting a late application will reduce your chances of gaining a place at that school

Change of preference

You can only request a change of preference up until the closing date – you must put this in writing by emailing schoolaccess@blackpool.gov.uk Once an application has been submitted, and the closing date has passed, a change of preference can only be actioned if there is a significant change of circumstances, ie. a house move.

You will be unable to access the on- line system after the closing date. Any requests for a change of preference should be made in writing, but evidence must be provided to demonstrate the reasons for your change. It may not be possible to action any changes after Friday 1 March 2024.

Moving house

If you are planning to move house, you will need to notify the school admissions team as soon as you have details of your new address. If you have exchanged contracts or have evidence of a confirmed offer of a tenancy, you can ask for your child’s application to be considered from the new address.

If you move after you have applied but before places are allocated, you will need to contact the school admissions team to discuss the situation.

If you move temporarily during the admissions process you must also contact the school admissions team, as temporary addresses may not always be accepted for admission purposes.

Fraudulent applications

The local authority will investigate any apparent or alleged inaccuracies which come to light at any time during the allocation process. If it is found that a child has been allocated a school place due to misleading information having been provided, for example an incorrect address, then the local authority will withdraw the offer of the place and an alternative school will be allocated.

Blackpool Council has a statutory duty to co-ordinate annual admission intakes and must ensure a school or academy offer for every child.

We will share your information with and request information from

other admission authorities in order to complete this statutory process including, where required, those in neighbouring local authority areas and the relevant support agencies for your child/children.

For further information about how Blackpool Council uses your personal information, including your rights as a data subject, please see our website www.blackpool.gov.uk/privacy

The authority will investigate each application individually by means which are most appropriate in the particular circumstances. The authority reserves the right to seek information from any relevant third party when investigating disputed information.

The relevant address is where the child lives and will travel to/from school.

Addresses of relatives, friends or childminders must not be used and neither should addresses of any other properties owned by applicants

Waiting lists

Waiting lists for all primary schools will be set up in the week following the letters being sent to parents. If you would like your child to be placed on a waiting list for a community, voluntary controlled school or certain academies, you will need to contact the school admissions team.

If a place becomes available, the child highest on the waiting list will be offered the place. This is not dependent on whether an appeal has been submitted.

The school admissions team will maintain the waiting lists for all community, voluntary controlled schools and academies (excluding voluntary aided academies), until the end of the autumn term (when schools finish for the Christmas break).

Children will be placed on the waiting lists using the oversubscription criteria. Late applicants will be slotted into the list according to where they meet the oversubscription criteria

Therefore, a child who moves into the area later can have a higher priority than one who has been on the waiting list for some time. This is a statutory requirement, stipulated in the school admissions code, that all admission authorities have to follow.

Voluntary aided primary schools/ academies will maintain their own waiting lists in accordance with the school’s admissions policy, so you should contact the school direct to establish your child’s position on the list.

UK service personnel

Families of UK service personnel, other crown servants and British Council employees are subject to frequent movement within the UK and from abroad, often at relatively short notice.

The local authority will allocate a school place in advance, subject to an official government letter (e.g. MOD, FCO or GCHQ) declaring a relocation date and intended address. A unit postal address, or, if appropriate, a ‘quartering area’ address (the address of the closest house in the nearest ‘quartering area’), will be accepted on applications in the absence of a new home postal address.

Applications from abroad (and other areas of the UK)

It is required that families must be resident in Blackpool (or nearby) in order to apply within the annual intake process.

Exceptions will include UK service and crown servants and British Council employees (as above).

Families returning to an address in Blackpool (or nearby) will need to provide evidence of ownership - whether the address is pre-owned or not. In addition they must be physically resident during the application period for an application to be accepted. This means that the child must be resident with parents/carers (or a parent or a carer). This applies to new to country applicants and to those returning from work placement /secondment abroad.

The local authority will decide whether or not applications can be accepted within the process to co- ordinate admissions. Where required individual admission authorities will be consulted.

Admission to blackpool primary schools after 1 september 2024

In relation to new to area applications and transfer requests the amended school admission code (May 2021) changes have been in place since November 2021. Details are available on the council’s website.

Families who are new to the area can complete an online application on the council’s website. Where children are already on roll in Blackpool a transfer form is available from the child’s primary school or academy (or the school admissions team).

Please note that Blackpool schools and academies operate a locally agreed first day of the next school term protocol for the majority of transfer requests.

In-year fair access protocol

Blackpool Council has a fair access protocol that operates for in-year admission requests (outside of the annual intake process). This aims to ensure that unplaced and vulnerable children receive an offer of a school place or alternative provision as quickly as possible. Details of the fair access protocol are on the council’s website.

Appeal arrangements

If you are unhappy that you have not been offered a place at one of your preferred schools, you have the right to appeal to an independent appeal panel.

Before deciding whether to appeal, you may find it helpful to visit the school that you have been offered. You may find that this school is an acceptable alternative option.

How to appeal Blackpool community and voluntary controlled primary schools

If you wish to appeal for a Blackpool community or voluntary controlled school, you should request an appeal pack from the school admissions team by ringing 01253 476637.

Academies

If you wish to appeal for a Blackpool academy, it is recommended that you contact the school admissions team to establish the appeal arrangements.

Voluntary aided schools

If you wish to appeal for a place in a Blackpool voluntary aided school, you should contact the school direct to request an appeal pack, as a different appeal form is used.

Free schools

If you wish to appeal for a free school, you should contact the school direct to establish its arrangements for appeals.

Schools within the Lancashire County Council area

To request an appeal form, please contact: Pupil Access Team, Area Education Office, White Cross Education Centre, Quarry Road, Lancaster LA1 3SE.

Telephone: 01524 581148

Web: www.lancashire.gov.uk

Can you submit more than one appeal?

There is no restriction on how many appeals you can lodge at any one time. You do not have to wait for the decision from one before you initiate an appeal for another school. This applies if you wish to appeal for a Blackpool community school, an academy or a voluntary aided school or a Lancashire school/academy.

If you are moving house

If you are moving house, firm written evidence will be required with the appeal form. The minimum which is normally accepted is a solicitor’s letter confirming an exchange of contracts.

How is the appeal arranged?

The independent school appeals team arranges all appeal hearings for schools in Blackpool. You will receive an acknowledgement of your appeal form. A letter will then follow which gives the date, time and place of your hearing, together with information on how the appeal is organised. You will receive at least two weeks notice of the hearing. A copy of the admission authority’s case will be sent to you at least one week before the hearing.

Where will the appeal be heard?

Appeals for schools within Blackpool are by an online video link.

When will the appeal be heard?

Appeal hearings take place during the summer term during office hours.

What happens at the hearing?

You are advised to attend the hearing if possible. This gives you the opportunity to state your case, and it also helps the appeal panel should they have any questions for you. If you cannot make the date of the appeal hearing, the appeal may go ahead in your absence. If you are ill on the day of the hearing or are unable to attend for any other reason, please contact the Independent school appeals team on 01253 477157, who will try to arrange a suitable alternative date. Due to statutory timescales, this may result in a delay in hearing your case.

Infant class size limits

Infant classes (those where the majority of children will reach the age of 5, 6, or 7 years during the school year) must not contain more than 30 pupils with a single qualified teacher.

The powers of an appeal panel are limited in these cases, and it may only allow an appeal in very extreme circumstances

1. It finds that the admission of additional children would not breach the infant class size limit
2. The admission arrangements had not been properly implemented, ie. the oversubscription criteria had not been applied correctly
3. And/or the decision to refuse a place was not one which a reasonable admission authority would have made in the circumstances of the case

How are you notified of the decision?

The appeal panel will come to a decision after considering all aspects of your circumstances as well as the difficulties the school would experience through the admission of another pupil.

A letter notifying you of the panel’s decision will be sent to you as soon as possible. The clerk to the panel will advise when you should expect your letter.

What happens if your appeal is not successful?

The appeal panel’s decision is final and binding on all parties. You cannot appeal twice for a place at the same school in the same school year unless the admission authority agrees that your first appeal was not conducted properly or accepts a significant change in your circumstances (this must be a change since the original hearing or information which was not known at that time).

If you feel that the procedures have not been followed correctly or that there have been irregularities in the way your appeal has been handled, you can write to:

Local Government Ombudsman PO Box 4771 Coventry CV4 0EH Telephone: 0300 0610614

www.lgo.org.uk
Email: advice@lgo.org.uk

The Local Government Ombudsman cannot look at complaints about academies. You should speak to the academy initially about how to complain to them. They will provide you with a copy of their complaints procedure.

The Secretary of State has no power to review the decisions of individual appeal panels. You can contact the Education Funding Agency if you feel that the admissions authority has acted unreasonably with regard to the appeals process.

Complaints about academies should be made by completing the Department for Education’s schools complaints form. Complain about an academy or by post to Ministerial and Public Communications Division, Department for Education, Piccadilly Gate, Store Street, Manchester M1 2WD.

In-year appeals

In relation to new to area applications and transfer requests, changes to the amended school admission code (May 2021) commenced from November 2021 and details are available on the council’s website. Please note that Blackpool schools and academies operate a locally agreed first day of the next school term protocol for the majority of transfer requests.

However, where any admission authority refuse a request for a school place you are entitled to know then reasons for their decision and to have a right of appeal. These are statutory requirements. We schedule appeals every 4-6 weeks during the school year and once you have submitted an appeal form we will arrange a hearing as soon as possible in accordance within the set deadlines.

Nurseries in Blackpool

If you would like to apply for a place at a nursery, you must contact the manager of the nursery to request an application form.

All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to up to 15 hours of free early education, working parents who meet the criteria could be entitled to an extra 15 hours of free early education for 3 and 4 year olds. Children are entitled to a free Early years provision place from the start of term after their third birthday. Parents are encouraged to discuss their requirements with their preferred childminder, nursery, preschool or school. However, not all settings will be able to meet all requirements.

Further information about all pre-school provision can be obtained by contacting:

Blackpool Family Information Service PO Box 4, Blackpool FY1 1NA

Telephone: 0800 092 2332
Website: www.fyidirectory.co.uk
Email: fis@blackpool.gov.uk

School transport

When choosing a preferred school for your child you should carefully consider how your child will travel to school. Where possible you should encourage your child to travel idependently; on foot; by bicycle or by bus. Information on local bus routes can be obtained from Blackpool Transport on 01253 473001, at www.blackpooltransport.com or by downloading the mobile app.

It is the responsibility of parents to ensure that their children get to and from school at the appropriate time each day.

What is the criteria?

There are certain circumstances when Blackpool Council will provide support or pay for your child to receive school transport. Full details of the eligibility and decision criteria is outlined in the Home to School and College Transport policy which can be downloaded from www.blackpool.gov.uk

The policy also explains about what action you can take if you feel your application has not been fairly considered and wish to make an appeal.

Blackpool Council may provide transport assistance where a child lives further away from the nearest suitable school than the specified walking distance. The specified walking distance is

1. For a child under the age of eight years: 2 miles
2. For a child aged between eight and sixteen: 3 miles

Blackpool Council may also provide transport assistance where pupils are entitled to free school meals or their parents are in receipt of maximum working tax credit if:

1. The nearest suitable school is beyond 2 miles (for children over the age of 8 and under 11)
2. The school is between 2 and 6 miles (if aged 11-16 years and there are not three or more suitable nearer schools)
3. The school is between 2 and 15 miles and is the nearest school preferred on the grounds of religion or belief (aged 11-16 years)

Further information about how the nearest suitable school is defined for transport purposes is contained in the Home to School and Transport Policy

What support is available?

Where transport is necessary Blackpool Council will arrange this in the most cost effective way that is consistent with what is reasonable for the child’s individual needs. At the discretion of Blackpool Council support may be provided in the following ways:

1. Bus passes for journeys to and from school on Blackpool Transport services
2. Transport on Blackpool Council vehicles or contractors vehicles
3. Cycle maintenance grants
4. Mileage allowances
5. Support with independent travel
6. Training

Children unable to walk to school (accompanied if necessary) by reason of their special educational need, disability or mobility Blackpool Council may provide transport assistance for pupils with education, health and care plans in accordance with the criteria outlined in the home to school and college transport policy.

Each child will be assessed individually and a formal application and assessment will be based on individual needs. For any application there must be substantive medical evidence in support. All applications are considered by a panel of council officers and you will normally be notified of the outcome of your application within 28 days.

When and how to apply?

If your child is starting primary or secondary school for the first time in September and you think you may be entitled to support you should apply once your child has been offered a school place.

If your child is transferring schools at any other time you can apply at the appropriate time.

School transport 

Applications can also be made online or telephone 01253 476795/476174 or email transportdirect@blackpool.gov.uk

Where to get further information

Blackpool Family Information Service

This is a free, impartial service offering information on a wide range of services for children, young people and their families and professionals working with families.

Blackpool Family Information Service also offers impartial and free advice on the admissions process and can be contacted on 0800 092 2332.

OFSTED Reports

OFSTED Reports are produced by the government’s school inspectors. For the most recent reports you may contact the school or they are available at www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofsted

School Performance Data

Performance data is available by contacting the school or on Find and check the performance of schools and colleges in England - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

DfE Parents’ Centre

The Department for Education has a website which can support and advise parents on a wide range of issues www.education.gov.uk

There are a number of links to other parents’ organisations and support groups on this website.

The DFE has also produced a booklet ‘Primary and Secondary School Admissions and Appeals: A Guide for Parents’. This can be accessed at http://dera.ioe.ac.uk/8152/

Advisory Centre for Education

The Advisory Centre for Education (ACE) is an organisation that advises parents on state education. The website is www.ace-ed.org.uk You can also contact them on 0300 0115 142.

Schools Adjudicator

To object to an admission authority’s admissions processes or oversubscription criteria, contact the Secretary, Office of the Schools Adjudicator, Mowden Hall,

Staindrop Road, Darlington, DL3 9BG. Telephone: 01325 735303, email osa.team@osa.gsi.gov.uk

website: www.education.gov.uk/schoolsadjudicator/

Legislation

School admissions is based on the Education Act 1996, the School Standards and Framework Act 1998, the Education Act 2002, and the Education and Inspections Act 2006 (www.legislation.gov.uk).

The school admissions code and school admissions appeals code can be found on www.gov.uk

Contact information for all Blackpool primary schools

Boundary Primary School

Dinmore Avenue, Blackpool, FY3 7RW

Telephone: 01253 287250
Email: admin@boundary.blackpool.sch.uk
Web: www.boundaryschool.co.uk

Headteacher: Miss Suzanne Ashton

• Nursery maintained by local authority
• Breakfast Club
• After School Club

Boundary Primary School is a mixed community primary school catering for children between the ages of 3 and 11 years, and is located in the Grange Park area, to the east of Blackpool town centre.

The amission number for September 2024 is 60.

Kincraig Primary School and Children’s Centre

Kincraig Road, Blackpool FY2 0HN

Telephone: 01253 354059
Email: admin@kincraig.blackpool.sch.uk
Web: www.kincraig.blackpool.sch.uk

Headteacher: Mrs Karen Appleby

• Nursery maintained by local authority
• Children’s Centre
• Breakfast club
• After school club

Kincraig Primary School is a mixed primary school catering for children between the ages of 3 months and 11 years, and is located in the Bispham area, to the north of Blackpool. There are 8 places for babies and 16 places for 2 year olds in the Nursery.

The admission number for September 2024 is 30.

Layton Primary School

Meyler Avenue, Blackpool FY3 7DX

Telephone: 01253 392179
Email: admin@layton.blackpool.sch.uk
Web: www.layton.blackpool.sch.uk

Headteacher: Mr Jonathan Clucas

• Breakfast club
• After school club

Layton Primary School is a mixed primary school catering for children between the ages of 4 and 11 years, and is located in the Layton area, to the east of Blackpool town centre.

The admission number for September 2024 is 90.

Stanley Primary School

Wordsworth Avenue, Blackpool FY3 9UT

Telephone: 01253 761022 or 763601
Email: admin@stanley.blackpool.sch.uk
Web: www.stanleyprimaryschool.com

Headteachers: Mrs Jane Murphy

• After school club
• Breakfast club

Stanley Primary School is a mixed primary school catering for children between the ages of 4 and 11 years, and is located in the Marton area, to the south east of Blackpool town centre.

The admission number for September 2024 is 90.

* The breakfast club and after school club are privately run and operated off site at Marton United Reformed Church.

Bispham Endowed Church of England Primary School

Bispham Road, Blackpool, FY2 0HH Telephone: 01253 354672

Email: admin@bispham-endowed. blackpool.sch.uk
Web: www.bispham-endowed. blackpool.sch.uk

Headteacher: Ms Michelle Warburton

• Nursery maintained by local authority
• Breakfast club
• After school club

Bispham Endowed Church of England Primary School is a mixed Voluntary Controlled primary school catering for children between the ages of 3 and 11 years, and is located in the Bispham area, to the north of Blackpool.

Voluntary controlled schools are mainly religious or ‘faith’ schools, although anyone can apply for a place. The local authority is the admissions authority, having primary responsibility for determining the arrangements for admitting pupils.

The admission number for September 2024 is 60.

Anchorsholme Academy

Eastpines Drive, Thornton Clevelys, FY5 3RX Telephone: 01253 855215

Email: admin@anchorsholme.blackpool.sch.uk

Web: www.anchorsholme.co.uk

Headteacher: Mr Graeme Dow

• Nursery privately run on the school site
• Breakfast club
• After school club

Anchorsholme Academy is a mixed community primary school catering for children between the ages of 4 and 11 years, and is located in the Anchorsholme area, to the north of Blackpool.

Part of the Seaview Multi Academy Trust.

The admission number for September 2024 is 90.

Armfield Academy

Lytham Road, Blackpool FY4 1JG Telephone: 01253 207702 Extension 5160

Email: admin@armfield.fcat.org.uk
Web: www.armfieldacademy.co.uk

Head of School: Mr Mark Kilmurray

Nursery maintained by the academy, breakfast club, after-school club

Armfield Academy is a new free school which opened in September 2018 with admissions into Reception and year 7 only in the first year. It is an All-Through Academy with a Nursery and will provide continuous education for children age 2-16.

The free school is part of the Fylde Coast Academy Trust who are also the admissions authority.

The admission number for Reception in 2024 is 60. The admission number for Year 7 in 2024 is 160.

Blackpool Gateway Academy

Seymour Road, Blackpool FY1 6JH

Telephone: 01253 402936
Email: admin@gateway.fcat.org.uk
Web: www.gatewayacademy.co.uk

Principal: Ms Sue Robinson

• Breakfast club
• After school club
• Nursery maintained by the academy

Blackpool Gateway Academy is a mixed primary school catering for children between the ages of 3 and 11 years, and is located in the South Shore area of Blackpool. The admission number for September 2024 is 30.

Devonshire Primary Academy

Devonshire Road, Blackpool FY3 8AF Telephone: 01253 478271

Email: admin@devonshire.blackpool.sch.uk
Website: www.devonshireprimary.org

Headteacher: Mr Dan Simm

• Pre-school maintained by the academy
• Breakfast club
• After school club

Devonshire Primary Academy is a mixed primary school catering for children between the ages of 3 and 11 years, and is located in central Blackpool.

Part of the Seaview Multi Academy Trust.

The admission number for September 2024 is 60.

Hawes Side Academy

Johnsville Avenue, Blackpool FY4 3LN

Telephone: 01253 402541
Email: admin@hawes-side.co.uk
Web: www.hawes-side.co.uk

Principal: Mrs Caroline Boothroyd

• Nursery privately run on school site
• Breakfast club
• After school club

Hawes Side Academy is a mixed primary school catering for children between the ages of 4 and 11 years, and is located in the South Shore area of Blackpool.

The admission number for September 2024 is 90.

Marton Primary Academy and Nursery

Whernside off Highfield Road, Blackpool FY4 5LY

Telephone: 01253 838556

Email: admin@mpa.bright-futures.co.uk

Website: www.martonprimary.co.uk

Headteacher: Ms Alice Coyle

• Nursery maintained by Bright Futures Educational Trust
• Breakfast club
• after school club

Marton Primary Academy and Nursery is a mixed primary school catering for children between the ages of 3 and 11 years, and is located in the Marton area, to the south east of Blackpool town centre.

The admission number for September 2024 is 30.

Part of Bright Futures Educational Trust.

Marton Primary Academy and Nursery also has a Special Education Resource Facility (SERF) for Pupils with Physical Difficulties.

Mereside Primary Academy

Langdale Road, Blackpool FY4 4RR

Telephone: 01253 761531
Email: : admin@mereside.fcat.org.uk
Web: www.meresideprimary.com

Principal: Ms Sam Upton

• Nursery maintained by the academy
• After school club

Mereside Primary School is part of the Fylde Coast Academy Trust and is a mixed primary school catering for children between the ages of 3 and 11 years, and is located to the south east of Blackpool town centre.

The admission number for September 2024 is 40.

Moor Park Primary School

Moor Park Avenue, Blackpool FY2 0LY

Telephone: 01253 353034
Email: admin@moor-park-blackpool.sch.uk
Web: www.moorparkprimaryandnursery.co.uk

Headteacher: Mr Gareth Kirkpatrick

• Nursery maintained by local authority
• Breakfast club
• After school club

Moor Park Primary School is a mixed primary school catering for children between the ages of 3 and 11 years, and is located in the Bispham area, to the north of Blackpool.

The admission number for September 2024 is 60.

Norbreck Primary Academy

Norbreck Road, Blackpool FY5 1PD

Telephone: 01253 852219
Email: admin@norbreck.blackpool.sch.uk
Web: www.norbreck.blackpool.sch.uk

Headteacher: Mrs Karen McCarter

• Nursery privately run on school site
• Breakfast club
• After school club

Norbreck Primary Academy is a mixed primary school catering for children between the ages of 4 and 11 years, and is located in the north of Blackpool, just outside of Cleveleys.

The admission number for September 2024 is 90.

Revoe Learning Academy and Children’s Centre

Grasmere Road, Blackpool FY1 5HP

Telephone: 01253 763414
Email: admin@revoe.blackpool.sch.uk
Web: www.revoelearningacademy.co.uk

Headteacher: Mr Dayle Harrison

• Nurseries for 2-3 and 3-4 year olds
• Free breakfast club available for all children
• Children's centre

Provision, free children’s centre on site catering for local family needs

Revoe Learning Academy is a mixed primary academy catering for children between the ages of 2 and 11 years, and is located in central Blackpool.

The academy is proud to serve Blackpool’s community, and in particular the Revoe families.

Part of the Seaview Multi Academy Trust.

The admission number for September 2024 is 60.

Roseacre Primary Academy

Stonycroft Avenue, Blackpool FY4 2PF

Telephone: 01253 319000
Email: admin@roseacre.blackpool.sch.uk
Web: www.roseacreprimaryacademy.co.uk

Headteacher: Mr Roger Farley

• Nursery maintained by the academy
• Breakfast club
• After school club

Roseacre Primary Academy is a mixed primary school catering for children between the ages of 3 and 11 years, and is located in the South Shore area of Blackpool.

The admission number for September 2024 is 60.

Thames Primary Academy

Severn Road, Blackpool FY4 1EE

Telephone: 01253 341466
Email: admin@thames.blackpool.sch.uk
Web: www.thamesprimary.co.uk

Headteacher: Mrs Julie Allison

• Nursery maintained by the academy
• Breakfast club
• After school club

Thames Primary Academy is a mixed primary school catering for children between the ages of 4 and 11 years. It is an extended school open between 8am-6pm,

48 weeks per year, and a Nursery open between 8am-6pm 38 weeks per year, located in the South Shore area of Blackpool.

The admission number for September 2024 is 60.

Unity Academy Blackpool

Warbreck Hill Road, Blackpool FY2 0TS

Telephone: 01253 355493
Email: admin@unity.fcat.org.uk
Web: www.unity.blackpool.org.uk

Principal: Mr Stephen Cooke

• Nursery on the school site operted by the school
• Breakfast club
• After school club

Unity Academy is a all through school for children and young people from 4 -16 years, and is located in the North Shore area of Blackpool.

Unity Academy Blackpool is supported through sponsorship by the Fylde Coast Academy Trust (FCAT).

The admission number for Reception in September 2024 is 60. The admission number for Year 7 in September 2024 is 120.

The academy’s website provides further information.

Waterloo Primary Academy

Waterloo Road, Blackpool FY4 3AG

Telephone: 01253 315370
Email: admin@waterloo.blackpool.sch.uk
Web: www.waterloo.zestacademytrust.co.uk

Principal: Mrs Jenny Brown

• Nursery maintained by the academy
• Breakfast club
• After school club

Waterloo Primary Academy is a mixed primary school catering for children between the ages of 3 and 11 years, and is located in the South Shore area of Blackpool. Waterloo Primary Academy is the lead school in the ZEST Multi Academy Trust.

The admission number for September 2024 is 90.

A purpose built early years centre caters for the needs of all nursery and reception children, it also incorporates a community and parent hub. A new purpose built sports hall opened recently to enhance the wide range of sports and outdoor activities offered by the school.

Westcliff Primary Academy

Crawford Avenue, Blackpool FY2 9BY

Telephone: 01253 353792
Email: admin@westcliff.fcat.org.uk
Web: www.westcliffprimaryacademy.co.uk

Principal: Mrs Amanda Stokes

• Nursery maintained by the academy
• Breakfast club
• After school club

Westcliff Primary Academy is a mixed primary school catering for children between the ages of 3 and 11 years, and is located in the Bispham area, to the north of Blackpool.

The admission number for September 2024 is 30.

Westminster Primary Academy and Children’s Centre

Westminister Road, Blackpool FY1 2QE

Telephone: 01253 621703
Web: www.westminsterprimary.co.uk
Email: admin@westminster.fcat.org.uk

Principal: Mrs Beth Latham

• Breakfast club
• After school club

Westminster Primary Academy is a mixed primary school catering for children between the ages of 4 and 11 years, and is located in the North Shore area of Blackpool.

The admission number for September 2024 is 60.

Baines’ Endowed Primary School and Children’s Centre, a Church of England Academy

Penrose Avenue, Blackpool FY4 4DJ

Telephone: 01253 762532
Email: beadmin@cidari.co.uk

Web: www.bainesendowedblackpool.co.uk

Headteacher: Mrs Debi Rusling

• Nursery maintained by the academy
• Breakfast club
• After school club
• Children’s centre

Baines’ Endowed Primary School and Children’s Centre, a Church of England Academy, is a mixed primary school catering for children between the ages of

3 and 11 years, and is located in the Marton area, south east of Blackpool town centre. It is part of Cidari Education Ltd, the Blackburn Diocese Multi Academy Trust.

Baines’ Endowed is a school which serves its local community and so anyone can apply for a place. All applications will be considered in terms of the priorities in its own admission policy, which is available from the school or on the website.

The admission number for September 2024 is 70

Christ the King Catholic Academy – Part of the Blessed Edward Bamber Catholic Multi Academy Trust

Rodwell Walk, Blackpool FY3 7NJ

Telephone: 01253 395985
Email: admin@ctkacademy.co.uk
Web: www.ctkacademy.co.uk

Executive Headteacher: Mrs Sarah Smith

• Nursery maintained by the academy
• Breakfast club
• After school club

Christ the King Catholic Academy is a mixed voluntary aided academy catering for children between the ages of 3 and 11 years. The school building (now adjacent to St Mary’s Catholic Academy) is part of a new Catholic Education Campus which includes Christ the King Catholic Church.

Voluntary aided academies are mainly religious or ‘faith’ schools, although anyone can apply for a place. The process for applying for a place at a voluntary aided academy is similar to applying for a place at a community or voluntary controlled primary school, except that the academy trust of the academy is the admissions authority, having responsibility for determining the arrangements for admitting pupils.

Christ the King Catholic Academy is part of the Blessed Edward Bamber Catholic Multi Academy Trust which includes St Cuthbert’s Catholic Academy and St Mary’s Catholic Academy. The directors of the board welcome applications from non-catholic families.

If applying on faith grounds, a copy of the baptismal certificate MUST be provided to the school. If the school is oversubscribed, a failure to provide a copy of the baptismal certificate may result in your application for a place in the school being considered against lower priority criteria, as the admission authority will have no information upon which to assess the evidence of Baptism. This needs to be sent before the closing date of Monday 15 January 2024.

The admission number for September 2024 is 30.

Holy Family Catholic Primary School

Seacrest Avenue,

Blackpool FY1 2SD

Telephone: 01253 354496
Email: admin@holy-family.blackpool.sch.uk
Web: www.holy-family.blackpool.sch.uk

Headteacher: Mrs Emma Allonby

• Nursery (nursery and clubs all privately run at the parish hall)
• Breakfast club
• After school club
• Holiday club

Holy Family Catholic Primary School is a mixed voluntary aided primary school catering for children between the ages of 4 and 11 years, and is located in the North Shore area of Blackpool.

Voluntary aided schools are mainly religious or ‘faith’ schools, although anyone can apply for a place. The process for applying for a place at a voluntary aided primary school is similar to applying for a place at a community or voluntary controlled primary school, except that the governing board of the school is the admissions authority, having responsibility for determining the arrangements for admitting pupils.

The admission number for September 2024 is 30.

If applying on faith grounds, a copy of the baptismal certificate must be provided to the school. You should also complete a supplementary form in addition

to the application. If the school is oversubscribed, a failure to complete the supplementary form may result in your application for a place in the school being considered against lower priority criteria, as the governing board will have no information upon which to assess the worship attendance. The supplementary form is available from the school. The supplementary form needs to be returned to the school before the closing date Monday 15 January 2024.

Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Primary School

Common Edge Road, Blackpool, FY4 5DF

Telephone: 01253 762833
Email: admin@our-lady.blackpool.sch.uk
Web: www.ourladyassumption-sch.co.uk

Headteacher: Ms Elaine Mannix

• Breakfast club
• After school club

A full and varied range of extra-curricular clubs and activities is available to all pupils throughout the school year

Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Primary School is a mixed voluntary aided primary school catering for children between the ages of 4 and 11 years, and is located in the South Shore area of Blackpool.

Voluntary aided schools are mainly religious or ‘faith’ schools, although anyone can apply for a place. The process for applying for a place at a voluntary aided primary school is similar to applying for a place at a community or voluntary controlled primary school, except that the governing board of the school is the admissions authority, having responsibility for determining the arrangements for admitting pupils.

The admission number for September 2024 is 30.

If applying on faith grounds, a copy of the baptismal certificate must be provided to the school. You should also complete a supplementary form in addition

to the application. If the school is oversubscribed, a failure to complete the supplementary form may result in your application for a place in the school being considered against lower priority criteria, as the governing board will have no information upon which to assess the worship attendance. The supplementary form is available from the school. The supplementary form needs to be returned to the school before the closing date Monday 15 January 2024.

St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School

Devonshire Road, Blackpool FY2 0AJ

Telephone: 01253 353641
Email: admin@st-bernadette.blackpool.sch.uk
Web: www.st-bernadette.blackpool.sch.uk

Headteacher: Ms Alexis Satterthwaite

• Nursery privately run on school site
• Breakfast club
• After school club

St Bernadette’s Catholic Primary School is a mixed voluntary aided primary school catering for children between the ages of 4 and 11 years, and is located in the Bispham area, to the north of Blackpool.

Voluntary aided schools are mainly religious or ‘faith’ schools, although anyone can apply for a place. The process for applying for a place at a voluntary aided primary school is similar to applying for a place at a community or voluntary controlled primary school, except that the governing board of the school is the admissions authority, having responsibility for determining the arrangements for admitting pupils.

The admission number for September 2024 is 30.

If applying on faith grounds, a copy of the baptismal certificate must be provided to the school. You should also complete a supplementary form in addition to the application. If the school is oversubscribed, a failure to complete the supplementary form may result in your application for a place in the school being considered against lower priority criteria, as the governing board will have no information upon which to assess the worship attendance. The supplementary form is available from the school. The supplementary form needs to be returned to the school before the closing date Monday 15 January 2024.

St Cuthbert’s Catholic Academy Part of the Blessed Edward Bamber Catholic Multi Academy Trust

Lightwood Avenue, Blackpool, FY4 2AU

Telephone: 01253 403232
Email: admin@sccacademy.co.uk
Web: www.stcuthbertsacademy.co.uk

Executive Headteacher: Mrs Sarah Smith

St Cuthbert’s Catholic Academy is a mixed voluntary aided academy catering for children between the ages of 2 and 11 years, and is located in the South Shore area of Blackpool.

Voluntary aided academies are mainly religious or ‘faith’ schools, although anyone can apply for a place. The process for applying for a place at a voluntary aided academy is similar to applying for a place at a community or voluntary controlled primary school, except that the academy trust of the academy is the admissions authority, having responsibility for determining the arrangements for admitting pupils.

St Cuthbert’s Catholic Academy is part of the Blessed Edward Bamber Catholic Multi Academy Trust which includes St Teresa's Catholic Primary School, St Kentigern's Catholic Primary School, Christ the King Catholic Academy and St Mary’s Catholic Academy. The Directors of the Board welcome applications from non- catholic families.

If applying on faith grounds, a copy of the baptismal certificate must be provided to the school. If the school is oversubscribed, a failure to provide a copy of the baptismal certificate may result in your application for a place in the school being considered against lower priority criteria, as the admission authority will have no information upon which to assess the evidence of Baptism. This needs to be sent before the closing date of Monday 15 January 2024.

The admission number for September 2024 is 30.

St John’s Church of England Primary School

Church Street, Blackpool FY1 3NX

Telephone: 01253 807495
Email: admin@st-john.blackpool.sch.uk
Web: www.stjohnsblackpool.co.uk

Headteacher: Mrs Nadine Galloway

• After school club

St John’s Church of England Primary School is a mixed voluntary aided primary school catering for children between the ages of 4 and 11 years, and is located in central Blackpool.

Voluntary aided schools are mainly religious or ‘faith’ schools, although anyone can apply for a place. The process for applying for a place at a voluntary aided primary school is similar to applying for a place at a community or voluntary controlled primary school, except that the governing board of the school is the admissions authority, having responsibility for determining the arrangements for admitting pupils.

If applying on faith grounds, you should also complete a supplementary form in addition to the application. If the school is oversubscribed, a failure to complete the supplementary form may result in your application for a place in the school being considered against lower priority criteria, as the governing board will have no information upon which to assess the worship attendance. The supplementary form is available from the school. The supplementary form needs to be returned to the school before the closing date Monday 15 January 2024.

The admission number for September 2024 is 30.

St John Vianney’s Catholic Primary School

Glastonbury Avenue, Blackpool, FY1 6RD

Telephone: 01253 311248
Email: admin@st-john-vianney.blackpool.sch.uk
Web: www.stjohnvianneys.co.uk

Headteacher: Mrs Elaine Allen

Nursery maintained by the school, breakfast club, after school club, holiday club

St John Vianney’s Catholic Primary School is a mixed voluntary aided primary school catering for children between the ages of 3 and 11 years, and is located in central/South Shore area of Blackpool.

Voluntary aided schools are mainly religious or ‘faith’ schools, although anyone can apply for a place. The process for applying for a place at a voluntary aided primary school is similar to applying for a place at a community or voluntary controlled primary school, except that the governing board of the school is the admissions authority, having responsibility for determining the arrangements for admitting pupils.

The admission number for September 2024 is 60.

If applying on faith grounds, a copy of the baptismal certificate must be provided to the school. You should also complete a supplementary form in addition

to the application. If the school is oversubscribed, a failure to complete the supplementary form may result in your application for a place in the school being considered against lower priority criteria, as the governing board will have no information upon which to assess the worship attendance. The supplementary form is available from the school. The supplementary form needs to be returned to the school before the closing date Monday 15 January 2024.

St Kentigern’s Catholic Primary School Part of the Blessed Edward Catholic Multi Academy Trust

Newton Drive, Blackpool, FY3 8BT

Telephone: 01253 393302
Email: admin@st-kentigern.blackpool.sch.uk
Web: www.st-kentigern.blackpool.sch.uk

• Breakfast club
• After school club

Headteacher: Mrs Fran Wygladala

St Kentigern’s Catholic Primary School is a mixed voluntary aided primary academy catering for children between the ages of 4 and 11 years, and is located in central Blackpool.

Voluntary aided academies are mainly religious or ‘faith’ schools, although anyone can apply for a place. The process for applying for a place at a voluntary aided primary academy is similar to applying for a place at a community or voluntary controlled primary school, except that the academy trust of the academy is the admissions authority, having responsibility for determining the arrangements for admitting pupils.

St Kentigern's Catholic Primary School is part of the Blessed Edward Bamber Catholic Multi Academy Trust which includes Christ the King Catholic Academy, St Cuthbert's Catholic Academy, St Teresa's Catholic Primary School and St Mary's Catholic Academy.  The Directors of the Board welcome applications from non-catholic families.

The admission number for September 2024 is 30.

If applying on faith grounds, a copy of the baptismal certificate must be provided with a supplementary form in addition to the application. If the school is oversubscribed, a failure to complete the supplementary form may result in your application for a place in the school being considered against lower priority criteria, as the admission authority will have no information regarding your faith. The supplementary form is available from the school and needs to be returned to the school before the closing date Monday 15 January 2024.

St Nicholas’ Church of England Primary School

School Road, Blackpool FY4 5DS

Telephone: 01253 966150
Email: admin@st-nicholas.blackpool.sch.uk
Web: www.st-nicholas-blackpool.org.uk

• Breakfast Club
• After school club

Headteacher: Mrs Claire Taylor

St Nicholas’ Church of England Primary School is a mixed voluntary aided primary school catering for children between the ages of 4 and 11 years, and is located at the south end of Blackpool, close to the border with Lancashire.

Voluntary aided schools are mainly religious or ‘faith’ schools, although anyone can apply for a place. The process for applying for a place at a voluntary aided primary school is similar to applying for a place at a community or voluntary controlled primary school, except that the governing board of the school is the admissions authority. This means that they have responsibility for determining the arrangements for admitting pupils and ranking applicants accordingly.

If applying on faith grounds, you should also complete a supplementary form in addition to the application. If the school is oversubscribed, a failure to complete the supplementary form may result in your application for a place in the school being considered against lower priority criteria, as the governing body will have no information upon which to assess attendance at church.

The supplementary form is available from the school and needs to be returned to the school before the closing date Monday 15 January 2024.

The admission number for September 2024 is 60.

St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School Part of the Blessed Edward Bamber Catholic Multi Academy Trust

St. George’s Avenue, Thornton-Cleveleys, FY5 3JW

Telephone: 01253 852457
Email: admin@stteresasprimary.com
Web: www.stteresasprimary.co.uk

• Nursery maintained by the school
• Breakfast club
• After school club

Headteacher: Mrs Lynsey Ankers

St Teresa’s Catholic Primary School is a mixed voluntary aided primary academy catering for children between the ages of 4 and 11 years, and is located in the north of Blackpool/Cleveleys area.

Voluntary aided academies are mainly religious or ‘faith’ schools, although anyone can apply for a place. The process for applying for a place at a voluntary aided primary school is similar to applying for a place at a community or voluntary controlled primary school, except that the academy trust of the school is the admissions authority, having responsibility for determining the arrangements for admitting pupils.

St Teresa's Catholic Primary School is part of the Blessed Edward Bamber Catholic Multi Academy Trust which includes Christ the King Catholic Academy, St Cuthbert's Catholic Academy, St Kentigern's Catholic Primary School and St Mary's Catholic Academy.  The directors of the board welcome applications from non-catholic families.

The admission number for September 2024 is 30.

If applying on faith grounds, a copy of the baptismal certificate must be provided to the school. You should also complete a supplementary form in addition to the application. If the school is oversubscribed, a failure to complete the supplementary form may result in your application for a place in the school being considered against lower priority criteria, as the admission authority will have no information upon which to assess the worship attendance. The supplementary form is available from the school. The supplementary form needs to be returned to the school before the closing date Monday 15 January 2024.