Admissions

If you would like your child to attend our school, please see full details of our admission arrangements below. The policy explains:

how we consider applications for every age group
what parents should do if they want to apply for their child to attend St Mary's.
our arrangements for selecting pupils who apply
our 'over-subscription criteria' - (if there are more applicants than places)

Applying for a Reception Place 2026

Guidance on how to apply for a school place.

Before you apply for a school place, please read through the Starting School in Cumberland (PDF 8MB) booklet. If you need a printed copy of the booklet, please contact the School Admissions and Appeals Team:

Email: school.admissions@cumberland.gov.uk

Copies are also available in all infant and primary schools and public libraries in Cumberland. Page 10 of the booklet explains what happens to applications that are received after the closing date of 15 January 2026.

To apply for a Reception place for your child in September 2024, you can:

Apply online
complete a WORD version of form SA1 application form (Word 66KB), which can be completed electronically and sent to School Admissions by email to school.admissions@cumberland.gov.uk
download the PDF version of the application form (PDF 267KB) and return it either to your child's preferred school or send it to School Admissions at:

School Admissions and Appeals
Cumberland Council
PO Box 415
Carlisle
CA1 9GU

The closing date for applications is 15 January 2026.

If you live in Cumberland and your child was born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022, they will be due to start school in Reception year group in September 2026. You must apply to Cumberland Council for a place.

Cumbria County Council Links to school admissions page.