Consultation on the proposed 2027-28 admission arrangements for Middleton Parish Church School.


In accordance with the School Admissions Code, Forward As One CE Multi Academy Trust (the admission authority) is consulting on proposed changes to our admission arrangements for entry in September 2027. Consultation will run for a minimum of 6 weeks from Wednesday 17th December to Wednesday 28th January. This consultation period falls within the statutory window as per the Admissions Code: GOV.UK

We are consulting with parents of children aged 2–18, local schools and admission authorities, the local authority, the diocese and other interested parties in the locality as required under the Admissions Code.

 

What’s changed/summary of proposals:

  • Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) naming the school continue to be admitted before all other applicants.
  • Looked After and Previously Looked After children remain the highest oversubscription priority.
  • The sibling criterion has been clarified and standardised to include half-siblings, step-siblings and children living as part of the same family unit at the same address.
  • The previous multi-layered faith and parish-based criteria have been replaced with a single, clearly defined faith-based criterion, which:
    • Is optional for families to apply under.
    • Requires evidence of regular Church of England worship via a Supplementary Information Form.
    • Uses a two-band attendance model (Band A and Band B), replacing baptism status, parish residence and fixed allocations of places.
  • The medical and social needs criterion has been tightened so that professional evidence must show the child’s needs can only be met at this school.
  • Distance from the school is now the final oversubscription criterion, measured in a straight line using the Local Authority’s mapping system.
  • Tie-break arrangements have been simplified: where distances are equal, places are allocated by independent random allocation.

Under our Faith criteria, we are moving away from a model based on Baptism and church links, to having two bands of church attendance, with Band A for children/parents who attend church 24 times in 2 years, and Band B for children/parents who attend for 12 times in 1 year. Children/parents in Band A will get priority over Band B.

  • A full copy of the proposed admission arrangements are linked below and available on request:

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  • The Supplementary Information Form is linked below:

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Free paper copies are available from the school office at: Middleton Parish Church School. Springfield Road, Middleton, Manchester. M24 5DL.

 

How to respond:
Please respond by Wednesday 28th January 2026 (consultation closes at 5pm on that date). Responses can be submitted by:

 

What happens next:
All responses will be considered by the Trust Board prior to determination of the admission arrangements by 28th February 2026. Once determined, the arrangements will be published on each academy’s website by 15th March and a copy sent to the local authority. Once the final arrangements are determined, anyone with concerns has the right to refer the matter to the Office of the Schools Adjudicator.

Please let us know if you have any questions about the consultation or need the documents in an alternative format.

https://www.forwardasone.uk/Admissions-Consultation-2027-28

In-year school transfers

If you wish to transfer your child to our school during a school year, you will need to complete an in-year transfer application form which can be found here, with further information, on the Rochdale council website.

https://www.rochdale.gov.uk/school-admissions-appeals/school-transfers

Please find below the information for Nursery and Reception admissions.

If you are seeking a place for your child in Year 1 to Year 6, please contact school Rochdale school admissions http://www.rochdale.gov.uk/schooladmissions

Admission Arrangements

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