Appleton Thorn is a member of The Challenge Academy Trust (TCAT) which is a multi-academy Trust with 12 academies within the Warrington local authority area. Legally, TCAT is the Admissions Authority for all its member academies and has developed Admission Arrangements which ensures all academies within the Trust have a unified approach to admissions whilst ensuring the individual character of each academy is maintained.
All state-funded schools have a set of admissions rules, published admission number and oversubscription criteria to help them process school applications consistently, transparently and fairly in accordance with the 2021 School Admissions Code.
TCAT has appointed WBC to administer admission procedures on its behalf for all TCAT Warrington Academies
Appeals Process
If your child is refused a place, you have the right to appeal through an Independent School Appeals Panel.
More Information & Appeal Timetable: School Admission Appeals
Early Years & Primary Admissions
Nursery Admissions (2-Year-Olds & 3-4 Year-Olds)
Our nursery program offers high-quality early education for children aged 2, 3, and 4 years old.
2-Year-Olds: Admission is based on Local Authority funding eligibility.
3 & 4-Year-Olds: Places are available following school and local authority nursery policies.
How to Apply: Visit the school office to complete a Nursery Admissions Form.
If places are oversubscribed, children will be placed on a waiting list and admissions will follow the oversubscription criteria.
Check Funding Eligibility: Government Free Childcare for 2-Year-Olds
In-Year Transfers (Changing Schools Mid-Year)
An in-year transfer occurs when a student transfers schools outside of normal admission periods, such as when a family moves home.
If considering an in-year transfer for reasons other than relocation, we recommend discussing options with the school admissions team first.
Apply for an In-Year Transfer: Local Authority In-Year Transfers
Once you have contacted the school admissions team, a school leader will be happy to arrange a school visit for you and your child.
Contact Information
Local Authority School Admissions
01925 446226
schooladmissions@localauthority.gov.uk
Admissions Office Address:
26/30 Horsemarket Street, Warrington, [Postcode]
Admissions Reception 2024
Parents/carers must apply online at www.warrington.gov.uk/admissions or there are drop in surgeries at the Council’s office at New Town House Please call 01925 446226 for more information.
Determined Admission Arrangements for 2024/25
Admissions Reception 2025
Transfer to Secondary School - September 2025
Parents/carers of children who have just started in Year 6 will need to apply for a secondary school place for their child for September 2024. The online application form will be available for parents to apply from 9 September 2024 until midnight on 31 October 2024.
An electronic copy of the prospectus ‘Secondary Education – First Admission to Year 7 Information for Parents 2025/26 booklet is available to view or download from our website at: www.warrington.gov.uk/admissions
The Admissions Consultation for the Admission Arrangements for 2025-26 has now closed. The Trust Board has considered all responses and their response to the consultation is attached here. Having considered all responses, the Trust board have determined the published Admission Arrangements for 2025-2026 the Trust’s Warrington primary and secondary academies as attached.
Admissions Consultation 2026 -2027
Appleton Thorn Primary School is a member of The Challenge Academy Trust (TCAT) which is a multi-academy Trust with 12 academies within the Warrington local authority area. Legally, TCAT is the Admissions Authority for all its member academies and has developed Admission Arrangements which ensures all academies within the Trust have a unified approach to admissions whilst ensuring the individual character of each academy is maintained.
All state-funded schools have a set of admissions rules, published admission number and oversubscription criteria to help them process school applications consistently, transparently and fairly in accordance with the 2021 School Admissions Code. The Trust is consulting on the unified policy for the Trust’s Warrington academies. There are also specific proposals in relation to
- The Published Admission Number (PAN) at Broomfields Junior School, Penketh High School and Padgate Academy
- Amendment to oversubscription criteria 2 for Broomfields Junior School only
- Inclusion of Dallam Community Primary School within these Admission Arrangements
Full details are given in the consultation document and policy.
The consultation is open from 6 December 2024 to 31 January 2025. We would like to hear what you think about the proposed admission arrangements for these academies. If you have any comments, queries or concerns about the school admission arrangements, please email admissions@tcat.uk.com . Any comments or queries can also be sent to academy trusts direct via their general enquiries form but please include the words ‘Admissions Consultation 2026/27 ’ in the subject header. Feedback provided through the admission consultation will be treated confidentially and will be considered by the Trust Board in deciding the final arrangements.
