Admissions
The Cathedral School is a Church of England, Voluntary Aided Primary School and therefore the governors are responsible for admissions not the Local Authority. However, an application must be submitted to the Local Authority. (See "how do I apply" section below). It is important that you read the criteria for admissions before you apply for a place. The criteria document is available via the below link.
Admissions for September 2026
If your child is due to start primary school from September 2026, here are some important dates for you.
It is the responsibility of parents to apply for a school place at the correct times. The Local Authority will not send you any letters to inform you to apply for your child’s school place.
How do I apply?
The primary school (Reception) admission round opens 10th November 2025, for parents of children to apply for a Reception school place for the academic year that starts in September 2026. From 10 November 2025 you can apply online to the Local Authority for your child’s primary (Reception) school place.
You must submit an application to the Local Authority by the national closing date of 15 January 2026. Applications received after this date are considered late and will reduce your chance of being offered a place at your preferred schools.
You can also complete a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) by the 31st January 2026. This will help us know more about where your application woudl sit in our oversubscription criteria.
The SIF asks for details of your church connections and enables the Governors to apply the School’s admission criteria. A copy of this form can be viewed by clicking the link below. The Local Authority sends the school a list of all applicants and use the Supplementary Information Form (SIF) to help us rank applications. The SIF can be collected by parents from the school office at any point of the school year or downloaded below.
Supplementary Information form 2026/2027
School place offers
Offers will be sent to online applicants by email on 16 April 2026.
From 16 April 2026, if you applied online, you can log into your account to see your allocation.
Find out more about what to do after you get your school offer.
Tours
If you would like a tour of the school we are more than happy to show families around. Our official guided tours for 2026 - 2027 Reception places are being completed on:
23rd October 2025 - 9.30am
12th November 2025 - 9.30am
Added Date
25th November 2025- 9:45am
If you have missed these tours please give us a call and we will endeavour to arrange a time to show you around.
If you have any questions please telephone to arrange a discussion about your child’s individual needs with the Head teacher, Deputy Head Teacher or SENDCo.
Mid Year Applications
The Cathedral School is a one and a half form entry school meaning we 45 children per year group.
Many of our Year groups are currently full. In year applications are made directly to the school. Please Complete the Mid-Year Primary Application Form and Return to the School Office ASAP. Click here for a Mid Year Primary Application Form
Alternatively, please speak to the School office 01245354459 for further details
We will work to obtain an outcome of your application within 15 school days (excluding school holidays) of you submitting it. In some cases, it may take longer.
We will send you a letter as soon as we know the outcome of your application. Please note that you may not receive your letter within 15 school days.
Please Complete the Mid-Year Primary Application Form and Return to the School Office ASAP.
Waiting Lists
Please Complete the Mid-Year Primary Application Form and Return to the School Office ASAP.
If you would like your child to be added to one of our waiting lists please complete and return to the school office.
Appeals
If your child is not offered a place at your preferred school, you can appeal against the decision. You will receive a letter with the appeal hearing date within 30 school days for mid-year appeals and 40 school days for normal admission round appeals.
Please visit Appeals - Essex County Council
Email: statutoryappeals@essex.gov.uk
Statutory Appeals Team
PO Box 11
Chelmsford
Essex, CM1 1LX
Prospectus
Consultation on Admissions
In accordance with the Schools Admissions Code, the Governing Body of The Cathedral Church of England (V/A) Primary School, Chelmsford, wishes to consult with stakeholders and the wider community on their proposals to modify their admission arrangements for the academic year 2027 – 28.
As determined by the Schools Admissions Code, this consultation is for parents / carers of children aged 2 – 18, other persons in the area who have an interest in the proposed arrangements, all other admissions authorities within the local area, the local authority and the Diocese of Chelmsford.
The statutory six week consultation period will run from 6th November 2025 – 18th December 2025. A copy of the consultation can be found Click Here
Comments on the proposal to revise the Admissions Criteria are invited and will be considered and used by the Governing Body to inform their final decision on whether to implement the proposed revisions.
Consultation responses should be made in writing to The Cathedral Church of England (V/A) Primary School, Victoria Road, Chelmsford, Essex CM1 1PA or by email to office@cathedralschool.essex.sch.uk
The closing date for responses to be received is 18th December 2025.
The Cathedral School
Virtual Tour
