How admissions arrangements are set

All schools must have arrangements that clearly 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.

Consultation 2026–2027

Admission authorities will be consulting on changes to arrangements for 2026 – 2027 for a minimum of 6 weeks prior to 31 January 2025.

East Sussex County Council will be consulting from November to January and the proposals will appear on our consultations page. Other admission authorities consultations will appear there and on the websites of the schools to which they apply.

Final admission arrangements 2025–2026

Final arrangements for 2026-27 will be available to view from 15 March 2025. The 2024–2025 and 2025-26 arrangements will be shown as long as they are current.

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.