Admissions & Appeals
St. Mary’s Catholic Academy is a caring faith community. Our mission is to provide an outstanding whole-person education through which all are challenged to grow in wisdom, understanding, self-esteem and closeness to God.
Open Evenings
Our open evenings are a great way to come and experience what our school has to offer. Take the opportunity to chat to subject teachers and our students about school life and what to expect at St. Mary’s. If you have missed out on attending our open evenings but would still like to have a look round our school please contact us and we will endeavour to help you out.
Open Evening
Our next Junior Open Evening is currently scheduled to take place on the evening of Monday 21st September 2026 from 17:15 to 19:45. More information will be released in the new academic year,
Sixth Form Open Evening
Our next Sixth Form Open Evening is currently scheduled to take place on the evening of Thursday 8th October 2026 from 17:30 to 19:30. More information will be released in the new academic year,
Applying to St. Mary's
Admissions to Year 7 are by application to Blackpool Local Authority either online at the link below or via a written application form. Submission of baptism certificates is to be done directly to St Mary’s, either by hand or via the admissions email admissions@st-mary.
Applying to Sixth Form
School Admission Appeals
APPLY ON-LINE AT www.blackpool.gov.uk/schooladmissions
The School Admissions Team can be contacted at:
Children’s Services Department, PO Box 4, Blackpool FY1 1NA
Tel: 01253 476637 or
Email: [email protected]
3rd September 2025: On-line application live or obtain an application pack from Blackpool primary schools or the Schools
Admissions Team.
31st October 2025: Closing Date for applications, all applications must be submitted before midnight. During this period, all applications are processed and all preferences are considered against the published admissions policy. It is important that you check the admission policy of the school carefully as these differ from school to school.
On 2nd March 2026: If you have applied online, you will receive an email confirming the allocated school. The online system will go live on the Monday 3rd March 2025. If you have applied on a paper application, you will receive a letter in the post – this will be posted on Friday 28th February 2025. The letter may arrive at various times depending on the postal service in your area.
If you are not satisfied with the allocated school, you may request an appeal form from the School Admissions Team, or from the school direct if you are appealing for a voluntary aided school. You will need to contact an academy to establish their appeal arrangements.
By Mid April 2026: Appeal forms should be returned in order to be heard in the first round of appeals.
June 2026: First appeals heard by the Independent Appeal Panels.
September 2026: Pupils start secondary school.
St Walburga’s Road, Blackpool FY3 7EQ
Telephone: 01253 396286
E-mail: [email protected]
Executive Director: Mrs Helen O’Neill
Headteacher: Mr S Eccles
Chair of the Academy Board: Mrs E Kelly.
St. Mary’s Catholic Academy is a catholic academy or ‘faith’ school, although anyone can apply for a place. It caters for pupils between the ages of 11 and 18, and is located in the Layton area. The Admission Number for September 2026 is 210. The school has a sixth form facility providing advanced level education. The process for applying for a place is similar to applying for a place at a community secondary school, except that the academy board is the admissions authority, having responsibility for determining the arrangements for admitting pupils. The academy’s admissions policy provides full information. You also need to provide the school with a copy of your child’s baptismal certificate. This can be emailed to [email protected]
Useful websites Department for Education www.gov.uk/dfe More information about school admissions and appeals can be found at: www.direct.gov.uk