ADMISSION ARRANGEMENTS SEPTEMBER 2027

The arrangements for the admission of children into the foundation year are made by the School Admissions department of Rochdale Local Authority. All children are admitted in the academic year of their fifth birthday. The Admissions Procedure to Schools is clearly explained on the council website: Rochdale Borough Council School Admission and Appeals. Applications should be submitted online in September of the year before children are due to attend (see above timeline). Please ensure you receive confirmation of your application and retain this for your records.

Please note it is the responsibility of a parent to ensure application forms are submitted by the deadline specified. Having a sibling in the school does not automatically confer a right to a place. Failure to submit the required application forms to the Local Authority may mean you will not gain a place at your requested school.

All applications should be supported with the necessary documentary evidence at the point of application; this may include copies of birth certificate, baptism certificate and proof of address. Full details of the required documentary evidence can be found in the school application online form. In addition, there is a school application form which should be completed. Please contact the school for further information where our friendly staff are available to help answer any questions.

St Gabriel's RC Primary School school is Voluntary Aided and the Governing Body is our own Admissions Authority, however please note all applications are administered by the Local Authority.

Confirmation of school places are made directly by the Local Authority. Please ensure that any change of address during the application process is updated both with the Local Authority and the school.

The Governing Body use the following set of criteria to form a priority order if there are more applications for admission than the school has places available. All applications are considered on a single priority basis, the Local Authority is responsible for then allocating the school places. The admissions process is a fair and inclusive one; it does not discriminate individuals from different ethnic backgrounds or disability. The school complies with the Single Equality Duty in respect of their admission code. Applications are welcomed from children of other religious backgrounds.

If at any time the number of applications within a given category exceed the published admissions number, then places will be filled in accordance to the proximity of the school that is the shortest maintained walking route to school from the pupil’s door to the main entrance to the school.

Maps illustrating Parish Boundaries are available to view at the school.

Waiting lists: Waiting lists are administered by the Local Authority. Should a place become available within a year group, the waiting list will be prioritised using the admissions criteria specified above. If you would like to register your interest for a reception place, please contact the school office.

The school has an Open Day annually where prospective parents can look around the school; this is normally held in the October before admissions. Dates are published on the school website and via social media.

For admissions outside of this window please contact the school for an appointment once the relevant applications have been completed with the Local Authority.

In Year Transfer Appeals

Appeals resulting from in-year transfer school admission applications will be heard within the timescales set out in the School Admission Appeals Code.

Appeals for September 2027 Entry

From Friday 16 April 2027 (national offer day), if you appeal before the deadline, your appeal will be heard between June 2027 and July 2027.

We aim to update this page with the deadline for making an appeal by March 2027.

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 below:

• Rochdale Council Website

• Department for Education Website

• School Admission Appeals Code