Admissions
If you would like your child to attend St James Academy, please use the current information and official application links below. Please contact the academy office if you need help with an application.
Published Admission Number (PAN)
The Published Admission Number (PAN) for St James Academy is:
Nursery - 52 places ( 26 AM places and 26 PM places)
Reception to Year 6 – 30 places
Internal Applications
Nursery admissions
Applications for a Nursery place at St James Academy are made directly to the academy using a paper application form available from the school office.
We have a 52-place Nursery: 26 children in the morning session and 26 children in the afternoon session. We also offer 30-hour provision. Children can join through our staggered intakes after they turn three.
Nursery provision at St James Academy
Walsall Admissions
Reception admissions for September 2027
Children born between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2023 are due to start Reception in September 2027.
The application portal is open and applications must be submitted by 15 January 2027. Having a place in the Nursery does not guarantee a Reception place; a separate Reception application must be made.
Apply for a primary school place
National Offer Day – Reception Places
National Offer Day for reception school places is 16 April 2027. On this date, parents and carers who applied for a place for their child starting in Reception in September 2027 will be informed of the outcome of their application by the local authority.
If your application is successful, you will receive details of the school your child has been offered and information about how to accept the place. If it is not possible to offer your preferred school, you will be informed of the alternative place offered and provided with information about your right to appeal.
Late applications:
Your application will be treated as being late if:
- we receive it after the closing date (15 January 2027)
- you change the name or ranking of a school after the closing date
We process late applications after the on-time applications. You probably won’t be offered a place at one of your preferred schools if you apply late.
Visiting St James Academy
If you would like to look around St James Academy before applying, please contact the academy office to arrange a visit.
Admissions arrangements for Reception to Year 6
The academy has a maximum intake of 30 pupils in each class from Reception to Year 6. Full admissions and oversubscription criteria are set out in the current published admission arrangements.
View Walsall school admissions policies
Mid-year admissions 2026/27
You can apply for a mid-year primary school place for the 2026/27 academic year between 1 September 2026 and 27 June 2027. Walsall Council will make offers until 9 July 2027.
Apply to transfer to a different primary school
Secondary school applications for September 2027
Children born between 1 September 2015 and 31 August 2016 are due to transfer to secondary school in September 2027. The Walsall application portal is open from 11 September to 31 October 2026. Secondary National Offer Day is 1 March 2027.
Apply for a secondary school place
Pupils with SEND or a disability
The admission arrangements for the academy treat all children exactly the same. They are administered in accordance with the guidance set out in the Academy Admission Arrangements published by the Authority. A copy of the Admission Arrangements is available from Education Walsall.
https://go.walsall.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/school-admissions
Further information can also be found in the academy Admissions Policy and SEN information report, which outline how we support pupils with Special Educational Needs and/or disabilities throughout the admissions process and during their time at the academy.
Please contact the academy office if you need support with an application.
Appeals for pupils in Reception to Year 6
If your child has not been offered a place at any of your preferred schools, it is because the year group you applied for is full to capacity. You can find out more about how schools allocate their places in the determined admission arrangements document.
https://go.walsall.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/school-admissions/school-admissions
You have a statutory right to appeal against this decision.
It’s important to be realistic about your reasons for appealing and the chances of being successful. An appeal can prolong the period of uncertainty for you and your child.
To make an appeal, you will have to set your case out in writing and attend an appeal hearing.
All appeals are dealt with by the Lighthouse Multi Academy Trust.
If parents wish to appeal against a decision to refuse entry, they can do so by collecting and completing a form from the academy office.
Appeals timetable
Appeals for September 2027 primary school admissions must be received by 17th May 2027.
Please see appeals timetable below:
Lighthouse_MAT_appeals_schedule_2026-2027.pdf