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Admissions

Admissions Policies

Please find on this page our current admissions policy, along with the policy for 2027-28.

Click on the button labelled ‘Map of Designated Areas’ to see the inner and outer designated areas, as outlined in point 6 and Appendix A of Malmesbury Primary School’s Admissions Policies. These are also downloadable via the buttons below.

The capacity of Malmesbury C of E Primary School is 420 and the Planned Admission Number (PAN) is 60.

The Governors of Malmesbury C of E Primary School have determined that the Academy will adhere to Wiltshire Council’s Schools Admissions Policy for the academic years 2026-27 and 2027-28.

Current school place spaces

We currently have spaces available in EYFS (Reception), Year 1 and Year 3. We sometimes have vacancies in other year groups too, so please call the school on 01666 823514 to enquire.

Admission to EYFS (Reception)

Wiltshire Council controls all admissions to our school. The closing date for all applications for children wishing to start in September 2027 is 15th January 2027 at noon. Notification of whether your child has a place at our school will be available to you in April 2027. For late applications (ie. after 15th January) notifications will be posted out in June 2027.

The deadline for applications for September 2028 entry will be 15th January 2028.

Our staff make positive links with local pre-school groups and nurseries and arrange exchange visits where possible. An information booklet for all Reception children who start school with us in September is available by clicking on the button below.

Children must attend school full time in the term after their 5th birthday. However, most children attend school from the autumn term after their 4th birthday.

In-Year Applications

The term ‘in-year applications’ refers to all applications for places except those joining at the start of Reception year. If you are moving from another part of the country, or just want your child to change schools, this means you. The only exception would be if your child has been issued with an EHC plan for their special educational needs, in which case your Local Authority should work directly with Wiltshire Authority over your child’s school place.

Parents should apply using the in-year application form provided by the Local Authority (follow this link) and can either apply online or by paper.

Transfer to Secondary School

Transfer to Secondary School is made at the age of 11 years.

Most children go on to the local secondary, Malmesbury School, although every year some also go to the grammar schools in nearby Gloucestershire - Pate's, Marling and Stroud High. Strong links have been established between our school and Malmesbury School, to ensure a smooth transition. Induction visits are arranged during Year 6, and staff from both schools maintain contact through many different links.

Admissions Policies are formally agreed and set by the Governing Body by 28 February in the determination year (the year in advance of the one in which the arrangements are to apply). The school consulted upon its admissions arrangements for the 2022/23 Admissions Policy and will consult again no later than December 2027 for the 2029/30 Admissions Policy. Following determination of arrangements, any objections to the continuation of arrangements must be made to the Schools Adjudicator no later than 15 May in the determination year.

If your child is refused a place at Malmesbury C of E Primary School, you have the right to appeal to an independent appeal panel. Appeals for our school are arranged and clerked on our behalf by Wiltshire Council, under the School Admission Appeals Code. Appeal forms and guidance are available from Wiltshire Council.

Appeals timetable for September 2027 entry (Reception)

Late appeals and later application rounds: appeals lodged after the deadline, or following offers made in later rounds, will be heard within 40 school days of the deadline where possible, or otherwise within 30 school days of being lodged.

In-year appeals (for all other year groups and times of year): heard within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged, with the same notice and evidence timescales as above.

Appeals are heard in term time. If your appeal is unsuccessful you may apply again in a later school year, and you may also appeal again within the same school year if there has been a significant and material change in your circumstances.

1. I am moving to Malmesbury and want my children to come to the school. How do I apply?

All our admissions go through Wiltshire Council. If your child is already attending another school your application must be made using a School In-Year Transfer form available to download from the Wiltshire Council website.

Please be aware that the school is often over-subscribed and is usually operating a waiting list in most Year Groups.

2. What is your catchment area?

The downloadable map on this page (the ‘Map of Designated Areas’ button above) shows the Designated (catchment) Area for our school.

3. How can I find out if you have places?

Please contact the school office by e-mail at admin@malmesbury-pri.wilts.sch.uk

4. Can I put my child on your waiting list?

If you wish your child to be on the waiting list then you must make an application/in-year transfer request through Wiltshire Council stating this school as your first preference. We do not operate a separate waiting list, however you are welcome to contact the school to check the most up-to-date status of the waiting list.

5. What if I have more than one child needing a place?

You will need to apply for an In-Year Transfer for each individual child. Please be aware that we may not be able to offer places to all of your children. In such circumstances any offer of a school place will be for the child named and would not give the other children any priority for immediate admission as a sibling link. If you need places for more than one child then please contact the school for further advice.

6. Can I apply on-line?

Yes, through the Wiltshire Council website.

7. How long will it take for my application to go through?

Decision letters should be posted within 20 school days of receipt of your form although at busy periods there may be delays. For full details please see the information provided on the in-year transfer form or contact Wiltshire Council.

8. How do you choose who gets a place?

Where the school is over-subscribed places are allocated in the following priority order:

1. ‘Looked after’ children/Previously ‘Looked after’ children
2. Vulnerable children
3. Siblings living within the inner or outer designated areas
4. Children of staff of the school living within the inner or outer designated areas
5. Children within the inner designated area
6. Children within the outer designated area
7. Other siblings outside of both designated areas
8. Other children outside of both designated areas

9. What happens after I am offered a place at the school?

You will have 28 days in which to accept the offer of a place and, if necessary, provide documentation to prove residency such as a valid Tenancy Agreement or evidence of exchanged contracts. You must inform Wiltshire Council if you wish to accept the place offered. They will then inform the school. Once we have confirmation of your acceptance we will contact you directly to organise start dates, class allocations etc.

10. What happens if I am not offered a place?

Wiltshire Council will make an offer of a place at whichever other of your preferred schools has availability. If you have only chosen one school or none of your preferred schools have a place then Wiltshire Council will offer you a place at your nearest available school. You will remain on our waiting list for the remainder of the academic year unless we make you an offer of a place and you decline it.

11. What if there is still no place available at the end of the academic year?

Waiting lists close at the end of the academic year (July). If you wish your child to remain on the waiting list to be considered for a place in the next academic year then you need to make a fresh application.

12. Can I appeal if I don’t get a place?

You have a right to appeal to an independent panel. If you have not been offered a place and you wish to appeal the decision then you must contact Wiltshire Council. See “Admission appeals” above for the appeals timetable. The school must accept and cannot override the final decision of the appeal panel. You are also able to reapply in the next academic year if the appeal is unsuccessful.