Admissions and Transition
BSCA has places available in primary and secondary.
To apply for a place in any phase of our school, please read our admission policy below and further information about our primary.
Please see the full version of BSCA's admission policy.
Appeals
BSCA is part of the local authority appeals process which can found here - https://www.bolton.gov.uk/admissions/school-admission-appeals
Thinking about applying
Thinking about which primary school to apply for? Then apply before 15th January 2025 for BSCA Primary Reception through Bolton Council (https://www.bolton.gov.uk/admissions/primary-school-places-1) and join our caring school community that offers a rich and varied curriculum for our children.
If you wish to have a look round the school please contact us to arrange - primary@boltonstcatherinesacademy.org.uk or ring 01204 332533 during school hours.
Watch our video now to find out more about how amazing our school is for our young people:
How to Apply - Reception
Bolton St Catherine's Academy will work within Bolton Council's admission arrangements.
There will be a total of 60 places for boys and girls moving to primary school. All applications for 60 reception places will be considered. Where less than 60 applications have been received, places will be offered to all those who applied.
You can use this link - https://www.bolton.gov.uk/admissions/primary-school-places-1 - to go to the Bolton Council website to fill in your application. If you would like any assistance in doing this please contact us and we would be happy to help.
Here is their most up to date information:
Applications for children born between 1st September 2019 & 31st August 2020 for Reception 2024 opened online in September 2023 at www.bolton.gov.uk/admissions the closing date was January 2024, offer day is mid April 2024.
Timetable for admissions:
January
Application forms need to be completed and returned to Bolton Council which sends all the applications to the Academy.
April
Email and/or letter to parent/carer will be posted out offering a school place. Details of the appeals procedures will be included when appropriate.
End of April
Deadline for acceptance of places offered. Failure to accept may result in the place being re-offered.
Appeals
BSCA is part of the local authority appeals process which can found here - https://www.bolton.gov.uk/admissions/school-admission-appeals
Starting in Reception
Stay and Play Session
You will be invited to a stay and play session, where we will be able to meet you and your child before they start in Reception. You can meet your child’s new teacher and take a look at their classroom. You will also be asked to bring your child's data collection to discuss with staff in the setting, including medical needs.
Your Child’s First Day
We stagger the start of children starting Reception over the first few days of term. This means that all children have the opportunity to have the best start to being in school. In your starter pack you will find your assigned day. Please don't come on a different day as this is very upsetting for children and families to be turned away.
School starts from 8:45am. The school gates close at 9:00am. The primary entrance is on Greenroyd Avenue (BL2 5DD). Please come round to the reception classrooms, via the gated entrance.
What happens at dinner time?
All children in EYFS and Key Stage 1 will get a government funded dinner. You can send your child, if you prefer, with a packed lunch (No sugary drinks, cans or glass bottles please). Children in Nursery, Reception and Year 1 eat together in the Primary Hall and then have playtime in the EYFS park.
What happens at home time?
School finishes at 3.20pm each day (EXCEPT Wednesday 3pm). We start secure handover from 3.10pm to help everyone leave site safely. Please come round to the reception classrooms. Please be patient in the first few weeks whilst we get to know you: it is vital we have a secure transfer of children and know who has to collect each child.
Click here for our Welcome to Reception Leaflet
Applying for other years
In-Year Admissions
Admission to other year groups at Bolton St Catherine's Academy:
There are arrangements for admitting students to other year groups. These are subject to the provisions in the local authority's admission arrangements relating to applications submitted for years other than the normal year of entry: https://www.bolton.gov.uk/admissions
All applications are handled by Bolton LA. The admission criteria is then applied. In situations where a year group is full an alternative school may be offered. You must reapply if you wish to be placed on a waiting list. The Academy must consider all such applications. Parents whose application is turned down are entitled to appeal.
Please see our Admissions Policies for further information at the top of this page.
