Admissions
Welcome to St James’ CE Primary School
We are a school community that is ‘Committed to Excellence’ in all aspects of our work. We strive for the best possible academic outcomes for all children and deliver an engaging curriculum full of exciting opportunities. Most importantly, we work tirelessly with families to create children that we are proud to say are from St.James’.
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 requested from them.
Places in primary schools are allocated by the admission authority.
St James’ 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. |
St James’ CofE Primary School is an Academy of Watergrove Trust. Watergrove Trust is the admission authority for the school, and the school is required to act in accordance with the School Admissions Code. Watergrove Trust has delegated responsibility for admissions to the Local Governing Body of St James’ CofE Primary School.
The admissions process is co-ordinated by Rochdale Council (the Local Authority) and the school liaises with the Local Authority and Manchester Diocese on admissions issues.
Application forms for admission to primary school are available from Rochdale Education Authority.
For all families wishing to choose St James’ for reasons of faith, please see the supplementary form to support your application:
In Year Transfer Applications
If your child is already of school age, please contact us to apple for a in-year transfer.
Policies
Click here to visit our centralised Policies page which contains our Admissions Policies.
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
- Late appeals guidance
Waiting List Protocol
Thank you for considering St. James’ CofE Primary School as your preferred school.
My child has not been allocated a place in reception.
If your child has not been allocated a reception place, parents should fill out a waiting list application. This will then be kept on file to be considered should a place become available. At any point, you can contact the school to have the request withdrawn.
I would like my child to attend St. James’ 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 on Tel: 01706 378268
