Admissions
ADMISSION ARRANGEMENTS FOR 2026-27
Rainford is a Church of England Primary School and part of the Liverpool Diocesan Schools Trust, a multi-academy trust which includes a number of Church of England schools from across the Liverpool Diocese.
Admission arrangements are determined by the Governing Body of the school in consultation with the Diocesan Board of Education, the Local Authority and other admission authorities in the relevant area.
The Admission Number for the 2026 reception year intake at Rainford Church of England Primary School is 30.
Making an Application
Applications for reception year in September 2026 should be made on the applicant’s home local authority common application form. Copies of St Helens Primary Education Information for Parents Booklet will be available and applications made on-line via St Helens Council’s web-site from September 2024.
Applications must be submitted by 15 January 2026.
All applications will be considered at the same time and after the closing date.
Decision letters/emails will be sent to parents on 16 April 2026.
All Enquiries about school admissions should be made through the Local Authority School Admissions Section 01744 671035
https://www.sthelens.gov.uk/article/3298/School-admissions
Appeals
Rainford C E School follows the St Helens Appeal Timetable. This timetable is published on their website: https://www.sthelens.gov.uk/article/2876/Appeal-against-a-school-place-decision
If your child is not offered a place at your preferred school, you have a right to appeal against that decision to an Independent Appeals Panel. Information on how you can appeal will be sent in the decision letter.
Appeal hearings are held during the working day but they are not held during the school holidays.
You will receive written notification of the date, time and arrangements of your appeal at least 10 school days before the hearing. All appellants will normally be sent a copy of the school's case a reasonable time before the date of the hearing (wherever possible this will be at least seven working days).
If any appellant wishes to submit further evidence that was not included with their initial appeal, they must make sure that it is received within a reasonable time before the hearing (normally three working days).
In Year Admissions
Applications for a place in reception year after the waiting list has closed or
years 1 – 6 should be made on the Local Authority’s in year common application form. The application will then be processed in accordance with St Helens in year coordinated admission scheme.
Parents will normally receive a written response to their application within ten school days.