Admissions Policy & Statement

St Cuthbert’s is a Roman Catholic High School in St Teresa of Calcutta Roman Catholic Academy Trust.  The Academy Trust is the admissions authority, and the Local Governing Board is responsible for taking decisions on applications for admissions. Our admission criteria are based on guidance from the Salford Diocese and Local Authority Practices.

The policy of the Governing Board is to admit pupils, on demand, up to the school’s Published Admission Number. Where there are more applications than there are places available, a waiting list is maintained, ranked in accordance with the admissions/over-subscription criteria. If a place becomes available, it will be awarded to the child at the top of the waiting list.

The Published Admissions Number (PAN) for 2026-2027 is 210.

The contributory parish communities served by the school are:

  • Rochdale
  • St Gabriel’s
  • St John’s
  • St  Margaret’s Clitherow
  • St Mary’s Littleborough
  • St Patrick’s
  • St Vincent de Paul’s

The associated primary schools are:

  • Alice Ingham RC Primary School, Rochdale
  • Holy Family Roman Catholic School, Rochdale
  • Sacred Heart RC Primary, Rochdale
  • St Gabriel’s RC Primary School, Rochdale
  • St John’s RC Primary School, Rochdale
  • St Mary’s RC Primary School, Littleborough
  • St Patrick’s RC School, Rochdale
  • St Vincent’s RC Primary, Rochdale

How to Apply

Applications are to be made through your local authority, either Rochdale, Oldham, or Lancashire.

Our admissions policy linked here provides further details regarding applications and over-subscription criteria.

A Supplementary Information Form should be completed in support of your application to St Cuthbert’s RC High School and submitted along with the following evidence (if applicable):

  • A copy of your child’s Baptism Certificate
  • Evidence of completion of the Diocesian Sacramental Programme
  • Proof of address within a designated parish boundary in the form of a Council Tax bill (for pupils living within a contributory parish only).

Please ensure the Supplementary Information form is submitted directly to St Cuthbert’s RC High School, or by email to receptionteam@stcuthberts.stoccat.org.uk by 31st October 2026.

Appeals

If an application for admission or a within-year transfer request has been turned down by the Governing Board, parents/carers can appeal to an independent Appeals Panel. This appeal must be made in writing to Rochdale Local Authority Legal Services Team within 20 school days of notification of refusal. There is more information on the following page of Rochdale Council’s website: Secondary School Admission Appeal

In-Year Transfers

Parents/carers who would like their child to transfer to St. Cuthbert’s RC High School from another secondary school must complete a Within-Year Transfer Application Form and return this to the School Admissions Team. Please click here to view Rochdale Council’s website for more information.

Within Year Transfer Application Form