To apply for a place at Thornton Primary School for Reception 2026, for in year admissions, or to find out more about school admissions go to:

www.lancashire.gov.uk/schools

Many primary schools in Lancashire can accept all who wish to attend, but if the school is oversubscribed, the following criteria is used:

1. Children looked after by the local authority at the time when preferences are expressed and who are still looked after by the local authority at the time of their admission to school

2. Children for whom the Local Authority accepts that there are exceptional medical social or welfare reasons which are directly relevant to the school concerned

3. Children with older brothers and sisters attending the school when the younger child will start

4. Remaining places are allocated according to where a child lives. Those living nearest to the preferred school by a walking route recognised by the Local Authority will have priority.

Our admission number for the the academic year 2025-2026 is 20 children from Reception to Year 6.

In Year Admissions

If you would like a place at our school for a child that is already at another school or it is part way through the school year, then you must contact Lancashire County Council who are responsible for managing that process. Further details can be found by visiting:

https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/children-education-families/schools/apply-for-a-school-place/changing-schools-during-the-school-year/

If there are no places available, the child will be added to the waiting list and you have the right of appeal.

Pre-School Admissions

Our admission number for Pre-School is up to 10 children per session each day. When allocating places, we follow the same criteria as set out above for children in Reception to Year 6, however, school handles all enquiries and the allocating of places.

Often, we will organise a taster session for your child first so that we can assess whether or not a place in our Pre-School is best for them and the children we already attend. Places are then offered at the discretion of the Headteacher and may be withdrawn if we feel as though a place in our Pre-School is not appropriate for your child.

Appeals

If your child is not offered a place at our school, you have a right of appeal. Your appeal should be submitted using the link below within twenty days of refusal of admission. The appeal provides you with an opportunity to explain why you wish to register your child at our school. The appeal forms and advice on how to complete them is available on the Lancashire County Council website:

https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/children-education-families/schools/appeal-against-an-admission-decision/primary-school-appeals/

Education Offices:

Area Education Office
P.O. Box 607
White Cross Education Centre
Quarry Road
Lancaster
LA1 3SH

Tel: 01524 581148