ADMISSIONS
If you would like to visit us to look around the school, please contact us directly on info@sbu.shirelandcat.net or 0121 828 1123.
Read our prospectus
Our inclusive admissions process will, at all times, be open, transparent and fair, and will meet the requirements of the national Schools Admissions Code, the Appeals Code and Admissions Legislation.
We will have 120 Year 7 places for the academic year beginning September 2026.
Applying for Secondary School Places - September 2026
Shireland Biomedical UTC is a unique and vibrant school that welcomes students from across a wide geographical area. We are not limited to just our immediate local community; instead, our admissions structure ensures that children from all six towns of Sandwell: Wednesbury, Oldbury, Smethwick, Tipton, West Bromwich, and Rowley Regis have equal opportunities to gain a place at our Academy.
We also welcome applications from outside Sandwell, these applications will also be judged on distance to the nearest nodal point.
Year 7 Admissions and Nodal Points
Our admissions process is based on a nodal point system. This means that instead of considering the distance from the Academy itself, we assess applications based on how close a student lives to their nearest nodal point (in each of the six Sandwell towns). This approach ensures a fair and inclusive admissions process, giving every child in Sandwell and the surrounding areas an opportunity to attend Shireland Biomedical UTC.
Key information
- Published Admissions Number (PAN): 120 places available for Year 7 entry from September 2026.
- Nodal Points: Located in Wednesbury, Oldbury, Smethwick, Tipton, West Bromwich, and Rowley Regis.
- Application Deadline: Parents must complete an online registration form via their Local Authority (LA) by 31 October 2025.
- Oversubscription Criteria: If applications exceed available places, we apply our admissions policy criteria to allocate spaces fairly.
Admissions criteria (in priority order):
In accordance with the law, children with an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) will be admitted to the school where Shireland Biomedical UTC has been named as the most appropriate placement.
- Looked After Children & Previously Looked After Children – including those adopted from state care outside England.
- Siblings – Applicants with siblings already at the Academy (excluding Sixth Form).
- Nodal Point Allocation – Up to 20 places for each of the six Sandwell towns and surrounding areas, determined by distance to the nearest nodal point.
Transport links and accessibility
Shireland Biomedical UTC benefits from excellent transport connections, making it easily accessible for students across Sandwell and beyond.
- Public Transport: The Academy is well-served by local bus routes connecting all six towns in Sandwell.
- Train Services: Nearby railway stations offer convenient links for families traveling from a wider area.
- Cycling & Walking Routes: Safe and accessible routes are available for students who wish to cycle or walk to school.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
1. Who can apply to Shireland Biomedical UTC?
We accept applications from students across Sandwell and beyond. Our nodal point system ensures a fair allocation of places, giving children from all six Sandwell towns and the surrounding areas the opportunity to attend.
2. What if I don’t live near a nodal point?
If the Academy is oversubscribed (we receive more than 120 applications), your application (which could come from outside Sandwell) will be judged on your distance to your nearest nodal point.
3. How do I apply for a Year 7 place?
Parents must complete the online registration form via their Local Authority by 31 October 2025. Ensure Shireland Biomedical UTC is listed as one of your preferences.
4. What happens if there are more applications than places available?
If we receive more applications than our 120 available places, we allocate places based on our admissions criteria, prioritising looked-after children, siblings, and proximity to nodal points.
5. How do the nodal points work?
Instead of measuring distance to the Academy, we consider how close students live to their nearest nodal point. This ensures fair distribution across all Sandwell towns.
6. Is there a school bus service?
While the Academy does not operate its own bus service, we are well-connected via public transport, with numerous bus routes and train links available.
7. Can students apply from outside Sandwell?
Yes, applications from outside Sandwell are welcome and considered based on the admissions criteria which is the distance to the nearest nodal point. Parents applying for children who reside outside Sandwell would need to apply for the school through their own Local Authority, listing the school as one of their preferences. All preferences have to be made through their own Authority, and parents need to ensure they rank the schools in order of preference. If you need help with another local authority system, please contact the main office at the Academy.
8. What is a nodal point?
In this instance, a nodal point is a place on the map, in this case each of the six towns in Sandwell.
Important dates for year 7 applications - Sept 2026 entry
- July 2025: Applications open in Sandwell – apply via your local authority.
- Tuesday 16 September 2025, 4pm-7pm: Open evening
- Saturday 20 September 2025, 10am-1pm: Open morning
- Friday 31 October 2025: Deadline for year 7 applications.
- Monday 2 March 2026: National Offer Day for year 7.
- Monday 16 March 2026: Deadline for accepting offers.
For more information, please refer to our Admissions Policy or contact our admissions team.
