Admissions Arrangements for 2027

Managing and administering the Admissions Process is one of the most important roles of a Governing Board in Voluntary Aided Schools, or a Trust Board in an Academy Trust. As the Admissions Authority, the Governing or Trust Board has the responsibility to agree and set appropriate Admissions Arrangements, to then ensure that this criteria is properly and fairly administered, and also to receive any appeals and to respond appropriately.

The Diocesan Board of Education (DBE) seek to welcome into our schools, children and young people from across the breadth of the communities we serve, and to provide for them an outstanding education rooted and inspired by our Christian faith and the love and care that inspires.  Our schools flourish partly because they are distinctly Christian, this shapes how the school embraces the spiritual, physical, intellectual, emotional, moral and social development of our children and young people.  We welcome in all, to offer a vision of human flourishing for all.

As the Church of England Education Office reminds us, Church of England schools stand at the centre of the mission and ministry of the Church. Historically, Church schools had both a nurturing and a service role, providing an education for Christian families and for the local neighbourhood. Church of England schools in the 21st century are encouraged to remain true to this historic function – to provide schools that cater for Christian families as well as meeting the needs of the local community.  Our schools should therefore be both distinctively Christian and inclusive communities. 

The Governing Board is the Admissions Authority for a VA school and has the responsibility for the Admissions Process which covers setting appropriate Admissions Arrangements for the school, and to then ensure that these arrangements are properly and fairly administered, and to receive any appeals and to respond appropriately. 

Administering and managing the Admissions Process is a serious undertaking which is tightly governed by legislation as set out in the new Schools Admissions Code 2021. The code states that; “in drawing up their arrangements Admission Authorities must ensure that the practises and the criteria used to describe the allocation of school places are fair, clear and objective.”

During the Covid-19 pandemic there were changes to how Admissions Arrangements were applied due to the closure of church buildings for public worship. Included within the model arrangements for 2027 is the agreed variation to deal with this scenario, should it arise again in the future.

A timetable of dates for reviewing and agreeing the admissions arrangements, going to consultation (if required), and then finalising the admission arrangements (referred to as determining) are set out below.

A full – “Guide to Managing the Admissions Process and Timetable for Admissions in 2027“ is available to download below, which will guide you through the Admissions Process, and provides a copy of the admission process timetable at the end of the document.

To get started there are a couple of short tutorial videos below that give a quick introduction to; Who are the Admission Authorities for different schools, What the Admissions Process is, and What Admissions Arrangements cover.

The DBE is available to support schools in ensuring that Admissions Arrangements are legal and appropriate, and that schools are well prepared for any Appeals.