Admissions
Published admission number September 2026: 186
In 2026 the last child was admitted under criterion: 6
Criteria for 2025-26
There is no guarantee of a place for children living in the priority admission area. In the event of oversubscription any remaining places will be allocated using the following criteria in the order given:
- Looked After Children and previously looked after children (see below for definition)
- Children living in the priority admission area with a sibling (see below for definition) attending the school
- Other children living in the priority admission area
- Children living outside the priority admission area with a sibling attending the school
- Children attending one of our main feeder Primary Schools: Epping Primary School, Ivy Chimneys Primary, St Andrews C of E, Upshire Primary School, Theydon Bois Primary, Coopersale and Theydon Garnon C of E
- Remaining applications
*A ‘looked after child’ or a child who was previously looked after but immediately after being looked after became subject to an adoption, residence or special guardianship order will be given first priority in oversubscription criteria ahead of all other applicants in accordance with the School Admissions Code 2013. A looked after child is a child who is (a) in the care of a local authority, or (b) being provided with accommodation by a local authority in the exercise of their social services functions (as defined in Section 22(1) of the Children Act 1989).
# For applications made in the normal admissions round a relevant sibling is a child who has a brother, sister, adopted brother or sister or stepbrother or stepsister living in the same family In the event of oversubscription within any of the above criteria, priority will be determined by straight line distance from home to school, those living closest being given highest priority.
Criteria for 2026-27:
Admissions Criteria and Oversubscription Information
There is no guarantee of a place for children living in the priority admission area. Admissions are made without reference to aptitude or ability. In the event of over-subscription, places will be allocated using the following criteria in the order given:
1.) Looked After Children and previously looked after children (as defined in the Secondary Education in Essex 2026/2027 booklet)
2.) Children living in the priority admission area with a sibling attending the school
3.) Other children living in the priority admission area
4.) Children of all staff at the school
a) where the member of staff has been employed at the school for two or more years at the time at which the application for admission to the school is made, and / or
b) the member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skill-shortage
5.) Children living outside the priority admission area with a sibling attending the school
6.) Children attending one of the undernoted feeder Primary School:
- Coopersale and Theydon Garnon C of E (VC) Primary School
- Epping Primary School
- Epping Upland C of E Primary Schoolâ
- Ivy Chimneys Primary School
- St. Andrew's C of E (VA) Primary School, North Weald
- Theydon Bois Primary School
- Upshire Primary Foundation School
7.) Remaining applications
In the event of oversubscription within any of the above criteria, priority will be determined by straight line distance from home to school, those living closest being given the highest priority.
In the event of two applicants with an identical distance competing for a single place, the place will be offered to one applicant on the basis of lots drawn by a third party not involved with the admissions authority to the school.
Children with a Statement of Special Educational Needs or an Education, Health and Care Plan
All children with a Statement of Special Educational Needs or an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) that name the school on the statement / plan are required to be admitted to the school regardless of their place in the priority order.
Looked After Children
A ‘looked after child’ or a child who was previously looked after but immediately after being looked after became subject to an adoption, child arrangements or special guardianship order will be given first priority in oversubscription criteria ahead of all other applicants in accordance with the School Admissions Code 2021.
This also includes those children who appear (to the admission authority) to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted.
A looked after child is a child who is:
(a) in the care of a local authority, or
(b) being provided with accommodation by a local authority in the exercise of their social services functions (as defined in Section 22(1) of the Children Act 1989).
Siblings
For applications made in the normal admissions round a relevant sibling is a child who has a brother, sister, adopted brother or sister or stepbrother or stepsister living in the same family at the time of application.
This does not include Students who are currently on Roll in Year 11 and Year 13.
Parents applying for a place at the start of Year 7 in September can view more information at
Essex Schools Admissions
Applications after the September start date for Year 7 (Mid-year admissions) should be made to the school:
Telephone: 01992 573028
Email: admin@bmatesj.org.uk
For all other year group admissions, please contact the school.
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Admissions