Admissions arrangements

Bathwick St Mary Church School is an Academy Church School and as such the Governing Body is the Admissions Authority. Our Admission Policy has been written in accordance with our school’s vision and values and all other school policies which impact across all curriculum areas. The policy complies with The School Admissions Code, a statutory code which is designed to ensure a fair and straightforward admissions system that promotes equity and fair access for all.

The admission number for the Reception Class and Years 1 and 2 is 30. The admission limit for every other year group is 34, except for the current Year 6 class where the Governing Body have needed to limit the admission limit to 32 to ensure all children’s needs can be met. Every application is considered against the admission limit for the year group concerned. If there are more applications than places available, applications are ranked against the oversubscription criteria as set out in the Admissions Policy.

The parishes of St. Mary the Virgin and St. John the Baptist together form the Bathwick parishes. You can use the resources below to check if you live within the Bathwick parishes:

• The Church of England: A Church Near You
• Parish Boundaries Map

Admission into the reception year group in September

Children are usually admitted into the reception class in the September following their fourth birthday. The Local Authority co-ordinate all applications for children starting school for the first time. Applications must be received by the Local Authority by 15th January for admission in the following September. Details of how to apply are available on the Bath and North East Somerset website. You will be notified by the local authority on the outcome of your application on 16 April.

Admission into other year groups

If you wish to apply for a place in an existing year group, you must complete the Bath and North East Somerset In-Year Application Form. You may also need to complete Supplementary Information Forms – please see our Admissions Policy for details. Completed application forms and Supplementary Information Forms, if appropriate, must be returned to the school office.  Forms are also available from the school office and the Bath and North East Somerset website.

You will be notified on the outcome of your application by the school within 10 school days of receipt of your completed application form and Supplementary Information Forms, if appropriate. Places should normally be taken up within 6 school weeks of the offer being made or the place may be withdrawn.

Right of appeal

If you are refused a school place, you have the right to appeal against the decision. The admissions appeals process for our school is administered by the Bath and North East Somerset Council’s Democratic Services section. This ensures that it is separate from and independent of the school and the education authority. Details concerning how to appeal are available from the Bath and North East Somerset Website and will be explained in your notification letter. You can find the appeal forms here, together with the Appeals Timetable:

• Infant Class Size Appeal Form
• Appeal Form (not for Infant Class Size Appeals)
• Appeals Timetable March 2023 to February 2024
• Appeals Timetable – March 2024 to February 2025