St. Luke’s CE Primary School Admissions (2025–2026)
Reception to Year 6 Admissions
St. Luke’s CE Primary is a Voluntary Controlled School. Admissions for Reception through to Year 6 are managed by Rochdale Local Authority in line with their published admissions policy.
If you would like to apply for a place at our school, please visit: Rochdale Council School Admissions & Appeals
You can also contact them directly: Email: school.admissions@rochdale.gov.uk Phone: 0300 303 0340
Key Dates for Reception Applications (2025–2026)
· Applications open: 1 September 2025
· Applications close: 15 January 2026
· Offer day: 16 April 2026
All applications must be submitted through Rochdale Council.
Admission Criteria for Reception to Year 6
When applications exceed the number of available places, Rochdale Local Authority applies the following priority criteria:
1. Children with an Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP) naming St. Luke’s and if the school can meet the needs of the child
2. Looked-after children or previously looked-after children
3. Children with exceptional medical or social needs that make St. Luke’s the most suitable school
4. Siblings – Children who have a brother or sister attending St. Luke’s CE Primary school at the time of admission
5. Faith-based criteria – Children with Church of England affiliation at St. Luke’s or St. John’s Hopwood Church (as St. Luke’s is a VC Church school)
6. Children eligible for Service Pupil Premium (e.g., children of armed forces personnel)
7. Distance from the school
Faith-Based Admission Criterion (Church Affiliation)
To claim priority under the faith criterion, the following conditions must be met:
· St. Luke’s and St. John’s Hopwood Church are the parish churches affiliated with St. Luke’s CE Primary School
· At least one parent/carer and the child must have attended public worship at St. Luke’s Church or St. John’s Hopwood Church (the school’s affiliated parish churches)
· Attendance must have been at least twice a month, over a continuous period of one year prior to the application closing date
· This attendance must be confirmed by a letter from the vicar of St. Luke’s/ St. John’s Hopwood Church, verifying regular attendance. The letter will be issued by the church at the appropriate time for you to submit along with your application form to Rochdale Council School Admissions.
Nursery Admissions
St. Luke’s CE Primary manages its own nursery admissions for children aged 3 to 4 years.
Please note: A place in our nursery does not guarantee a place in Reception. A separate application must be made through Rochdale Local Authority for Reception.
Key Dates for Nursery Applications (2025–2026)
· Applications open: 1 September 2025
· Applications close: 9 February 2026
· Offer day: 2 March 2026
After the offer day, any remaining nursery places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
Age and Start Date
· Nursery places are for children aged 3 to 4 years.
· If places remain available, children may start nursery from the term following their 3rd birthday.
How to Apply
You can download a nursery application form and find further details in the Nursery section on our website or contact the school office.
Nursery Admission Criteria (priority order):
1. Siblings – Children with a brother or sister currently attending St. Luke’s CE Primary
2. Church Attendance – At least one parent/carer and the child must have attended public worship at St. Luke’s Church or St. John’s Hopwood Church at least twice a month for 12 months prior to application, supported by a letter from the vicar.
3. Distance
In-Year Transfer Applications (Reception to Year 6)
If you wish to apply for a place at St. Luke’s CE Primary (Reception to Year 6) outside of the usual admission rounds (i.e., during the school year), this is called an in-year transfer.
· All in-year transfer applications must be made through Rochdale Local Authority.
· The school has no control over in-year admissions and cannot advise on availability of places.
· To apply, please visit the Rochdale Council website or contact the School Admissions Service directly. Rochdale Council School Admissions & Appeals
· If a place is available in the requested year group, it will be offered following the published admissions criteria.
· If no place is available, you have the right to appeal the decision.
Contact Details: Email: school.admissions@rochdale.gov.uk Phone: 0300 303 0340 Website: Rochdale Council School Admissions & Appeals
Published Admission Numbers (PAN) 2025–2026
Year Group Places
Nursery 26 FTE
Reception 60
Year 1 60
Year 2 60
Year 3 60
Year 4 60
Year 5 60
Year 6 60
Total 446 pupils