School Admissions Service

School Admissions – Guidance for Schools

1. Statutory Duties

Schools must:

• Comply with the Admissions Code 2021
• Ensure arrangements are fair, clear and objective
• Determine arrangements by 29 February and publish by 15 March
• Submit arrangements to the Local Authority
• Provide waiting lists and appeals
• Admit children in accordance with attendance statutory duties 

2. Key Admissions Processes

• Normal round: coordinated by the LA
• In-year admissions: managed by LA or school depending on SLA
• Schools must respond to requests promptly 

3. Fair Access Protocol (FAP)

• Schools must participate
• Cannot refuse agreed placements
• Supports vulnerable pupils 

4. Appeals

• Schools must provide an appeals process
• Responsibilities depend on admission authority status 

5. SLA (Admissions & Appeals)

• Sets out LA support (applications and appeals)
• Schools not subscribing must manage these duties themselves.

6. Common Errors to Avoid

• Unclear or unfair criteria
• Using behaviour/attendance in decisions
• Not publishing arrangements correctly
• Inconsistent website information

7. Support

• Contact the Admissions Team for guidance and advice

Consultation on Admission Arrangements

Admission authorities must follow the statutory consultation process when required:

• Consultation must take place for a minimum of 6 weeks between 1 October and 31 January in the determination year
• Consultation is required when:
• There are changes to admission arrangements (e.g. PAN, catchment, oversubscription criteria)
• No consultation has taken place in the previous 7 years

Who must be consulted:

• Parents of children aged 2–18
• Other admission authorities in the area
• The Local Authority (if not the admission authority)
• Governing bodies (where relevant)
• Neighbouring local authorities (where applicable)
• Relevant religious bodies (for faith schools)

 After consultation:

• Admission arrangements must be formally determined by 29 February
• All consultees must be notified within 14 days
• Final arrangements must be published on the school website by 15 March and shared with the Local Authority

Admission authorities must follow the statutory consultation process when required:

• Consultation must take place for a minimum of 6 weeks between 1 October and 31 January in the determination year
• Consultation is required when:
• There are changes to admission arrangements (e.g. PAN, catchment, oversubscription criteria)
• No consultation has taken place in the previous 7 years 

Who must be consulted:

• Parents of children aged 2–18
• Other admission authorities in the area
• The Local Authority (if not the admission authority)
• Governing bodies (where relevant)
• Neighbouring local authorities (where applicable)
• Relevant religious bodies (for faith schools) 

After consultation: 

• Admission arrangements must be formally determined by 29 February
• All consultees must be notified within 14 days
• Final arrangements must be published on the school website by 15 March and shared with the Local Authority