How admissions arrangements are set

All schools must have arrangements that set out how children will be admitted. This will include the criteria that will be applied if there are more applications than available places.

Admission arrangements must be set annually. Where changes are proposed, the admission authority must publicly consult.

Timeline for setting arrangements

Consultation (if required) takes place between 1 October and 31 January for a minimum of 6 weeks in the school year before the arrangements apply.

Arrangements must be finalised by 28 February and published by 15 March.

Objections must be made by 15 May (see Objecting to the admission arrangements below)

The application form/portal and any supplementary information must be published by 12 September in the offer year.

You can view arrangements that are currently in force and future proposals on our Read our policies page.

Objecting to admissions arrangements

Objections to any of the admissions arrangements can be made to the Office of the Schools Adjudicator (OSA) by 15 May each year. Please visit the OSA website for more information.