Primary school in Uppermill considers introducing new ‘faith-based’ entry criteria to tackle oversubscription

An oversubscribed primary school may introduce a new ‘faith-based’ entry criteria for kids.

Parents who want to send their children to St Chad’s C of E primary school next year may have to provide evidence their youngsters regularly go to church to be considered. 

The Forward as One Trust school on Rhodes Avenue accepts around 30 kids each year and is the only primary in Uppermill.

But with the number of applications exceeding the admission slots, St Chad’s is currently consulting on new admissions criteria for the 2027 intake. 

These would give first priority to looked-after children; second priority to siblings of kids already at the school; third priority to churchgoers; fourth to medical or social needs that the school can meet; and fifth to local residents. 

A sample of the new admissions criteria explains that church officials would need to confirm kids had attended ‘at least 24 times over the preceding two years’ before application under a prioritised ‘Band A’ category, or ‘at least 12 times over the preceding 12 months’ under a ‘Band B’ category. 

St Chad’s has emphasised the school is ‘welcome to all’ and families are not obliged to apply under the faith-based criteria. 

But the consultation has still sparked debate among parents in the area.

Some have criticised the move as ‘old-fashioned’, while others raised fears the order of criteria would privilege those who attend church over local kids. 

Local mum Sarah commented: “[St Chad’s] is not like Greenfield where there is a church school and a non faith school to choose from.

"Parents should be able to take their children to the nearest primary school and not have to drive them to the next village.” 

And Paul, a resident and grandad, wrote: “As someone who went to this school many moons ago along with my brother and sister, and more recently my son and daughter attended, I would love my now granddaughter to go! 

“But there is no way we are going to force religion on her! We live in a secular society.

"All schools should be open to all…” 

The consultation is open until January 28, with families invited to share their thoughts on the plans.

No decision has yet been made, the trust has noted, with the school planning to ‘listen to all feedback’. 

Karen Bramwell, CEO of Forward As One, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “The proposed admissions arrangements for 2027–28 are still under consultation, and no decision has been made.

"We want to reassure families and our community that we are listening to all feedback to ensure any policy reflects our Christian ethos and serves the whole community. 

“We welcome families of all faiths and none, and we are committed to being inclusive of all children, including those with an Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCP), Special Educational Needs, and those with English as an Additional Language. 

“All comments will be considered carefully by the admissions authority before a final determination is made by 28th February 2026, in line with the Admissions Code.”

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