Admissions to the school will be made by the Governing Board. All preferences listed on the Local Authority Preference Form will be considered on an equal basis with the following set of admissions criteria forming a priority order where there are more applications for admissions than the school has places available.

1. Baptised Catholic Looked after Children / Baptised Catholic Previously Looked after Children (LAC) and Internationally Adopted Previously Looked After Children (IAPLAC).
2. Baptised Roman Catholic children who are resident in the parish of St Teresa’s with a sibling in school at the time of admission of the younger child.
3. Baptised Roman Catholic children who are resident in St Teresa’s parish.
4. Other Baptised Roman Catholic children with a sibling in school at the time of admission of the younger child.
5. Other Baptised Roman Catholic children.
6. Non-Catholic Looked after Children / Non-Catholic Previously Looked after Children.
7. The Governing Body reserve the right to admit children with proven and exceptional medical and social needs where admission to the school might best help satisfy those exceptional needs, providing that such an application is submitted with appropriate evidence from a doctor or social worker.
8. Other children with a sibling in school at the time of admission of the younger child.
9. All remaining applicants

If in any category there are more applications than places available, priority will be given on the basis of proximity to the school. The distance will be measured in a straight line from the point on the highway nearest to the centre of the home property and the designated main entrance to the school. In the event of distances being the same for two or more applicants and where this distance would be last place/s to be allocated, a random lottery will be carried out in a public place and the required number of names will be drawn out.

Sibling refers to a brother or sister, half brother or sister, adopted brother or sister, step brother or sister, or the child of parent/ carer where the child for whom the school place is sought is living in the same family unit at the same address as that sibling.

A Looked after Child is a child who is (a) in the care of the Local Authority, or (b) being provided with accommodation by the Local Authority in the exercise of their Social Services functions (under section 22(1) of the Children Act 1989. A previously Looked after Child, including those children who appear (to the admission authority) to have been in state care outside of England, is one who immediately moved on from that status after becoming subject to an adoption, residence or special guardianship order).

A parent is any person who has parental responsibility for or who is the legal guardian of the child.

The Governing Body is the admissions authority. The Governors’ Admissions Committee is comprised of three governors and an independent clerk.

New Intake Admissions:

• In the autumn term, all parents who have expressed an interest in a school place will be sent details of the LA co-ordinated admissions arrangements for Bolton LA.
• Parents must complete the common application form (CAF). Parents who wish their application to this Roman Catholic school to be considered against the priority faith criteria should also complete the supplementary form. If the school is oversubscribed failure to complete the supplementary form may result in your application for a place in this school being considered against lower priority criteria
• All applicants will be considered by the governors of St Teresa’s School at the same time in a fair way according to the published criteria.
• Parents will be informed of the governors’ decision by Bolton LA.
• An offer of a place does not guarantee a place for siblings in subsequent years.
• Late applications will be considered in accordance with the published admissions criteria. If the school is over subscribed, the applications will be placed on a reserve list in priority order according to the published admissions criteria. Parents will be notified if a vacancy subsequently arises.

All admissions:

Each Roman Catholic applicant will be required to produce a baptismal certificate (which is obtainable from the parish priest where the child was baptised.)

Parents should check carefully whether they are resident within the parish boundaries of St Teresa’s parish.

All applicants be required to present proof of address, by supplying evidence of the child’s address.

The Governing Board requires the right to withdraw the offer of a school place where false evidence is received in relation to the application.

It is the duty of governors to comply with regulations on class size limits at Keystage 1. This means that normally the School cannot operate classes at the Foundation Stage and Keystage 1 of more than 30 children. The Governing Board may exceed Keystage 1 and Reception Class Regulations for twins and multiple births where one of the children is the 30th child admitted and the other(s) beyond that limit.

If in any category there are more applications than places available, priority will be given on the basis of proximity to the school. This will be calculated (by the shortest walking route) using the LA computerised measuring system from the front door of the child’s address (including flats) to the main entrance of the school. In the event of distances being the same for two or more applicants and where this distance would be the last place/s to be allocated, a random lottery will be carried out in a public place and the required number of names will be drawn out.

Where a child lives with parents with shared responsibility, each for part of the week, the “home” address will be determined as being the address where the child normally lives. Where care is split, and the child moves between two addresses, the household in receipt of child benefit would be the address used but the Governing Board reserves the right to request other evidence as fits the individual circumstances.

The term sibling refers to a brother or sister, half brother or sister, adopted brother or sister, step brother or sister, or the child of parent/ carer where the child for whom the school place is sought is living in the same family unit at the same address as that sibling.

If the school is over-subscribed, a waiting list will be maintained until the end of the autumn term for the September intake.

Parents are asked to read and confirm receipt of the Governors’ published Admissions Policy. The policy will be included on the school website.

A parent is any person who has parental responsibility for or who is the legal guardian of the child.

For “In Year” applications received outside the normal admissions round, and if places are available, then children qualifying under the published criteria will be admitted. If there are places available but more applicants than places, then the published oversubscription criteria will be applied. In year applications may apply using the on-line form found on Bolton Council Admissions website or clicking on this link moving school during the year.