Student Admissions
Admissions Policy 2026 / 2027
This policy sets out a coordinated and structured approach to ensuring that places at The Heath School are offered and allocated in an open and fair manner. It also aims to guide parents, carers and pupils through the application process. The School will comply with all relevant provisions of the statutory codes of practice for academy school admissions. The Heath School will also follow Halton Borough Council's agreed scheme for school admissions.
Admissions from Key Stage 2 to Key Stage 3
The Heath School admits students aged 11 to 16. For entry to Year 7 in 2026-2027, the Published Admission Number (PAN) is 240 full-time places. The School may set a higher admission number in any specific year if appropriate. Students will not be admitted above the PAN unless exceptional circumstances apply.
Parents / carers are encouraged to visit the School with their child when considering applying. An Open Evening will be held every year; in 2025 it will take place on Thursday 02 October 2025. The details of this event are published on the School website. Visits outside these dates can be arranged by contacting the school office on 01928 576664.
Halton Borough Council administers the admissions process. The deadline to apply for a secondary school place to start in September 2026 is 31 October 2025. Parents / carers may complete a preference form online via www.halton.gov.uk/schooladmissions, after which they will receive an e-receipt. Paper copies of the preference form can be requested from the School Admissions team via the same website, or collected at any Halton Direct Link Office.
The online application system is not available after the application deadline. Applicants may view the outcome of their application online from 01 March 2026. Offer letters will be posted on 01 March 2026 to those who submitted paper forms.
Applications should not be delayed. Late applications, submitted after the deadline of 31 October 2025, must be made using a paper version of the preference form.
Parents / carers resident in other local authorities should complete their own local authority’s application form, and may include Halton schools amongst their preferences.
Oversubscription Criteria
If the number of applications is fewer than or equal to the number of places available, all applicants will be offered places.
If there are more applications than places, children with The Heath School named in a Statement of Special Educational Needs or Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) will be admitted automatically. (This should have been discussed with the Local Authority’s SEN department.)
If places remain, priority will be given in the following order:
i. Children in Public Care
Children looked after, and those who were looked after but ceased to be so because they were adopted or due to a residence order or special guardianship order. Also children who were looked after outside England and then adopted.
ii. Siblings
Children who have an elder brother or sister (including half-siblings) or unrelated children living together in the same household who attend The Heath School and are expected to continue in the following year. In the case of twins (or children from multiple births) when only one place remains in a year group, their applications will be considered together.
iii. Distance
Children living closest to the School, measured using the Ordnance Survey address-point system. The straight-line distance in metres from the child’s permanent residence to the School address will be used.
Waiting Lists
If there are more applicants than places, children who are not allocated a place will be automatically placed on a waiting list. Children may gain entry if a place becomes available. The waiting list will be maintained until 31 December 2026 following the main intake. Each time a child is added, the list will be re-ranked in accordance with the oversubscription criteria originally used. Priority is not given based on the date the application, or addition to the waiting list, was made.
In-Year Applications & Transfers
Applications are welcome for entry in any year group at any time, although we encourage entry at the main intake point to minimise disruption. Subject to any relevant Local Authority in-year coordinated arrangements, the School must consider all applications: if there is a place in the requested year group, the child will be admitted.
Appeals & Right to Withdraw Offers
If we are unable to offer a school place, parents / carers have the right to appeal against the decision.
The Governing Body reserves the right to withdraw an offer of a place where false or misleading evidence has been used in relation to an application.
Policy Review
This policy will be reviewed in the Spring Term of 2026.
Further Information
More details are available in the ‘Admission to Secondary School 2026’ guidance booklet published by Halton Borough Council:
Useful information about some of the the 'myths' surrounding school admissions can be found here:
For enquiries, please contact:
- Halton School Admissions Team: 0151 511 7271 / 8601
- The Heath School office: 01928 576664
