Admissions

Saint Aidan’s is a mixed comprehensive school with an inclusive admissions policy. Each year we welcome children from a very wide area and a huge range of backgrounds.

Is Saint Aidan’s the right school for my child?

We believe – and Ofsted agree – that we provide a high quality of education to all of our students, and that they can grow and learn in an environment where they will be helped and challenged to succeed in a caring and safe environment. However, you will want to know that Saint Aidan’s is the right school for your child. There are lots of ways to find out more about the school:

• Browse our website, our Ofsted and Church School inspection reports, and watch our video
• Visit the school at our annual Open Evening in early September.
• Request a tour of the school during the school day. This is the best way to find out what the school is really like – you will meet our students and sample the special atmosphere of Saint Aidan’s .
• Contact the school with any questions using the Contact Us page on our website.
• Talk to the many parents and carers throughout the area who have chosen to send their sons and daughters to Saint Aidan’s.

How do I apply for a place?

The applications system for secondary schools is administered by Lancashire Local Authority. If you wish to apply for a place at Saint Aidan’s you will need to complete an application form provided by Lancashire (or by Blackpool if you live in the Blackpool Local Authority area). Most people complete an online form.

If you live in Lancashire you can find more details at http://www.lancashire.gov.uk/children-education-families/schools/apply-for-a-school-place/apply-for-a-secondary-school-place.aspx

If you live in Blackpool you can find more details at http://www.blackpool.gov.uk/Residents/Education-and-schools/School-admissions/Apply-for-a-secondary-school-place.aspx

Applications must be made by 31st October of the year before your child is due to start secondary school. You may also choose to complete a Supplementary Form which is returned direct to Saint Aidan’s, but this is not compulsory.

What is the Supplementary Form?

Saint Aidan’s is a Church of England school, and faith-based criteria are included in our Admissions Policy. If you attend a church or other place of worship you should complete a Supplementary Form and submit it directly to the school. You do not need to complete a Supplementary Form, but it is important that you do complete one if you wish church attendance to be taken into account. The form is included in our Admissions Policy which is available to download from this page or from the school on request.

Will my child get a place?

The school has places for 168 Year 7 students every year. If we have more than 168 students wanting to join Year 7 we have a set of “oversubscription criteria” which are used when places are offered. Priority is given to groups including those who live in Over Wyre, those whose parents attend church and those who have siblings at the school (see the Admissions Policy for details). However, even after all these students have been admitted there are always a good number of places available to other students. It is certainly not true that you have to live near the school or attend church to be able to get a place at Saint Aidan’s. The Admissions Policy for entry in 2024 can be downloaded using the links below.

The link below gives further details of the churches which will be considered under Oversubscription Criterion D of the Admissions Policy.

Admissions at other times (in-year admissions)

Children sometimes need to change secondary schools at time other than the start of Year 7.  These admissions are called in-year admissions.  For example, a house move may make travelling to a child’s current school impractical.

If you are interested in a place at Saint Aidan’s other than at the start of Year 7, please contact the school directly.  The school will consider the application.  If there is a place available in the appropriate year group then the school will arrange for the admission to take place.  If the year group is full then admission will be refused and you will be provided with information about how to appeal against the refusal. You will be notified of the outcome of your application within two working weeks.

If moving secondary schools is not absolutely essential you are strongly urged to consider whether a move is the best thing for your child.  Changing schools is a big thing for any child, and you should always talk to your child’s current school first to see if any problems can be resolved.

Please note that most Lancashire schools operate a protocol where moves between schools happen only on the first day of term, with the exception of children who have moved into the area and so do not have a school place.  For local moves the child would continue to attend their current school until the end of term.

Further information about the appeals process can be found here.