Welcome to St Mary’s CE Primary School.
We are a Church of England primary school where our Christian vision inspires everything we do. We encourage every child to grow and thrive, guided by our core values: love, respect, responsibility, perseverance, trust, and courage. We warmly welcome families from all backgrounds and faiths, everyone belongs here!
Starting Reception Class
The window for applying online for a place from September 2026 closed in January 2026. Applications for Reception should be made to Rochdale Local Authority using the link below which takes you to the applications portal.
The Admissions services can be contacted via school.admissions@rochdale.gov.uk or telephone 0300 303 0340. A starting school guide and the online admission forms can be found by clicking the button above. The website also explains the appeals process.
Places in primary schools are allocated by the admission authority.
St Mary’s CE has a published admission number (PAN) of 30 pupils.
| Timetable for Applying for a Primary School Place | |
| Monday, 15 September 2025 | The online admissions system opens for primary school places starting in September 2026. |
|---|---|
| Thursday, 15 January 2026 | Closing date for applications Ensure your reception class application for a primary school is submitted before this date. Otherwise, you will need to apply for a late application. |
| Friday, 13 February 2026 | Last date for any changes to the address in your application. |
| Thursday, 16 April 2026 | National offer day. |
| Sunday, 10 May 2026 | Closing date for Round 2 applications. |
| Friday, 5 June 2026 | Round 2 offers are sent. |
| Saturday, 6 June 2026 | Online applications re-open. The online admissions system re-opens for primary school places starting in September 2026. |
| Monday, 31 August 2026 | Final closing date for applications. |
In Year Transfer Applications
If your child is already of school age, an In Year Transfer Application must be made to St Mary’s using this form.
Appeals
Reception appeals for admission in September 2026 will be heard according to the following timetable:
| Offer Date | Appeals to be lodged by | Where possible, all on time Appeals to be heard by | |
| Secondary | 2nd March 2026 | 28th April 2026 | 30th June 2026 |
| Primary | 16th April 2026 | 19th May 2026 | 21st July 2026 |
- Appeals lodged after these dates will be heard within the timescales set out in the School Admission Appeals Code.
- Appellants will be sent notification of their appeal hearing along with a copy of the school’s case at least 14 days in advance of the hearing.
- Further Information about School Admission Appeals can be found here:
- Rochdale Council Website
- Department for Education Website
Appeal Timescales
If your appeal is received on time then it will be heard within the dates outlined above. Appeals lodged after these dates will be heard within 40 school days of the appeal deadline or within 30 school days of being lodged, whichever is the later date. Appeals for in-year transfers will continue to be heard within 30 school days of receipt of the appeal.
You will be sent notification of your appeal hearing along with a copy of the school’s case at least 10 school days in advance of the hearing. If you wish to submit further evidence that was not included with your initial appeal, you must ensure that we receive it at least 5 working days before the hearing date. Any additional evidence or information received after this date might not be considered at the appeal hearing.
Waiting List
Waiting List Protocol
Thank you for considering St Mary’s CE as your preferred school.
I would like my child to attend St Mary’s but there are no places available:
If you wish to be considered for available places in the future, parents must fill out a waiting list application. The school will contact parents if a place can be offered. At the start of each academic year the school will contact parents to confirm that you wish to stay on the waiting list.
How are places allocated from the waiting list:
When a place becomes available, the school will apply its oversubscription criteria as set out in the admission policy. Parents will then be contacted to confirm the acceptance of the place. If your child is currently in another school, you will need to complete an ‘in year transfer form’ and have it signed by the current school’s headteacher. Once we receive this we will begin the process of admitting your child.
If you have any further questions please contact the school office.
PLEASE NOTE: Your child’s details will be held on the waiting list until the end of the school year. An email or text will be sent during July each year asking if you wish to remain on the waiting list. If we do not get a response, your child’s details will be removed from the waiting list.
It is important that your contact details are kept up to date so that we can contact you should a place become available. Please contact the school if your circumstances or contact details change.
Secondary School Applications
Is your child moving onto secondary school?