St Mary's Catholic Primary School

Time to start school? If you have a child born between 1 September 2020 and 31 August 2021, then now is the time to apply for a place at our school for admission from September 2025 onwards. You must complete an application form that is available from the school admissions team of B&NES Council. Please ensure you apply by the closing date of 15 January 2025. If your child is Catholic, you must also provide a copy of the baptism certificate to the school by this date.

St Mary's welcomes applications from everyone. We are a diverse community which reaches out to families who come from a range of religious beliefs and cultures, and each child is valued and loved by our caring and experienced team. Our 'Admissions Policy' criteria only apply in the event of oversubscription. You and your family are encouraged to arrange a personalised visit to the school and see what a wonderful place it is or attend one of our open events which are published on the school's home page.

The Local Authority website has the relevant application forms for pupils in Reception and other year groups.

Please find the approved admissions policy for September 2024 and 2025, the draft policy for September 2026 and our in-year application form.

If you are refused a place at St Mary's, you have the right under the Schools Standards and Framework Act 1998 (Section 94) as amended by the Education Act 2002, to appeal against the decision. It is your opportunity to present your reasons for preferring a particular school to an independent panel who will decide whether your reasons are strong enough to overturn the decision of the Governing Body.

Our appeals process is managed by Democratic Services at Bath and North East Somerset Council. Further information, including the timetable for appeals, can be found by clicking here.

The Governing Body of St Mary's Catholic Primary are consulting on their proposed admission arrangements for 2026-27 school year. 

Proposed changes from the existing arrangements include:
a) The introduction of new oversubscription criteria for:
- Children who are a member of an Eastern Christian Church
- Children of another Christian denomination
- Children of another faith
- Children of a member of School staff, within each category.

b) The introduction of a new Supplementary Information Form (to help process applications from those applying under the religious and/or staff categories).

c) A new In-Year application form (reflecting the above new criteria, for those applying for admission ‘In-year’ i.e. during the school year and not at the start of the Reception Year)

d) The use of a random number generator to help rank applicants, rather than drawing lots.

e) A revised definition of home address to include any address where the child spends any part of the school week.

Comments are not being sought on the rest of the arrangements.

You are invited to provide any comments you may wish for consideration on the proposed arrangements by 5.00pm on 31st January 2025. Final arrangements will be determined by 28th February 2025 and will appear on the school/trust website by 15 March 2025.

Comments should be sent to Sarah Sharma - Clerk to the Governors at sasharma@st-marys.bathnes.sch.uk; or by post to Sarah Sharma, St Mary's Catholic Primary School, Penn Hill Road, Weston, Bath. BA1 4EH.