Admissions to The Talentum Learning Trust Schools

Welcome to admissions information for The Talentum Learning Trust. We are a family of nine schools serving children aged 5-18 across Leek and the surrounding area in Staffordshire.

Our Schools

The Talentum Learning Trust comprises:

First Schools (ages 5-9):

All Saints CE First School, Cheadle Road, Leek, ST13 5QY
Beresford Memorial CE First School, Novi Lane, Leek, ST13 6NR
Blackshaw Moor CE First School, Buxton Road, Blackshaw Moor, ST13 8TW
Leek First School, East Street, Leek, ST13 6LF
Rushton CE First School, Sugar Street, Rushton Spencer, Macclesfield, SK11 0SG
Westwood First School, Westwood Road, Leek, ST13 8DL

Middle Schools (ages 9-13):

Churnet View Middle School, Churnet View, Leek, ST13 6PU

High Schools (ages 13-18):

Leek High School, Springfield Road, Leek, ST13 6EU
Westwood College, Westwood Park, Leek, ST13 8NP

How to Apply for a School Place

Normal Admissions Round (Starting Reception, Year 5, or Year 9)

All applications for normal admissions rounds must be made through Staffordshire County Council's online admissions portal:

Apply online: https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/schools-and-learning/school-admissions

Key Application Timetables

For First School (Reception) and Middle School (Year 5) applications: Full details and deadlines are available at: https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/school-admissions/applying-primary-and-middle-school-places

For High School (Year 9) applications: Full details and deadlines are available at: https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/school-admissions/applying-secondary-or-high-school-places

In-Year Admissions (Joining at Any Other Time)

If you wish to apply for a place at one of our schools outside the normal admissions rounds (for example, if you're moving into the area or wish to transfer schools mid-year):

Contact the school directly - each school manages its own in-year admissions
You can also find more information on the Staffordshire County Council website: https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/school-admissions/year-school-admissions

Admissions Policies and Arrangements

Each school within The Talentum Learning Trust is its own admissions authority and has its own admissions policy. These policies set out:

The Published Admission Number (PAN) for each year group
Oversubscription criteria (how places are allocated when the school receives more applications than places available)
Specific arrangements for Church of England schools within our trust

You can view each school's specific admissions policy below.

Catchment Areas

Our schools have designated catchment areas. You can check catchment area information on the Staffordshire County Council website: https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/schools-and-learning/school-admissions

Church of England Schools

Several of our schools are Church of England schools with a religious character:

All Saints CE First School
Beresford Memorial CE First School
Blackshaw Moor CE First School
Rushton CE First School

The admissions policies for these schools reflect their Church of England designation, and their oversubscription criteria may include faith-based criteria. Please refer to each school's individual admissions policy for full details.

Admissions Appeals

If your child is not offered a place at your preferred school, you have the right to appeal this decision.

How to appeal:

Full information about the admissions appeals process is available on the Staffordshire County Council website: https://www.staffordshire.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/schools-and-learning/admission-appeals
Contact: schooladmissionappeals@staffordshire.gov.uk

Appeals are heard by an independent appeals panel, and you will have the opportunity to present your case for why your child should be admitted to the school.

Important Information

Offers of places for normal admissions rounds (Reception/Year 5/Year 9) are sent by Staffordshire County Council on the national offer dates
Acceptance deadlines must be met to secure your child's place - please check the Staffordshire County Council website for specific dates
Waiting lists may be held for oversubscribed schools - contact the individual school for information

Contact Information

For questions about admissions to any of our schools, please contact the school directly. Contact details for each school are available on their individual website.

For appeals queries, contact: schooladmissionappeals@staffordshire.gov.uk

Further Support

If you need support with your application, including assistance with the online application process, free school meals eligibility, or home-to-school transport, please contact Staffordshire County Council's admissions team or the individual school.

2027/2028 Admissions Arrangements

The above admission arrangements ensure that the allocation of school places is fair, clear and objective. Through admission arrangements, publication and consultation, the allocation of school places should be understandable to all.

The Supplementary Information Form is to be used by our Church of England Schools.

2026/2027 Admissions Arrangements

In accordance with the DfE’s School Admissions Code 2021, The Talentum Learning Trust consulted on its proposed admission arrangements for 2026/2027 and the final versions are below.

The Supplementary Information Form is to be used by our Church of England Schools.

2025/2026 Admission Arrangements

In accordance with the DfE’s School Admissions Code 2021, The Talentum Learning Trust consulted on its proposed admission arrangements for 2025/2026 and the final versions are below. The Talentum Learning Trust Schools are:

All Saints CE First SchoolCheadle Road, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 5QY

Beresford Memorial CE First SchoolNovi Lane, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 6NR

Blackshaw Moor CE First SchoolBuxton Road, Blackshaw Moor, Staffordshire, ST13 8TW

Churnet View Middle SchoolChurnet View, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 6PU

Leek First SchoolEast Street, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 6LF

Leek High SchoolSpringfield Road, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 6EU

Rushton CE First SchoolSugar Street, Rushton Spencer, Macclesfield, SK11 0SG

Westwood First SchoolWestwood Road, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 8DL

Westwood CollegeWestwood Park, Leek, Staffordshire, ST13 8NP

The attached admission arrangements ensure that the allocation of school places is fair, clear and objective. Through admission arrangements, publication and consultation, the allocation of school places should be understandable to all.

The Supplementary Information Form is to be used by our Church of England Schools.

For more information on the consultation process, please view the post consultation outcome statement.