How to set your admission arrangements

Last reviewed on 3 February 2023
School types: All · School phases: All
Ref: 44028

Learn how admissions authorities set admissions criteria, how the consultation process works and the deadline for consulting on changes.

Article tools

Viewing article for:
tick-icon School leaders Trust leaders
School leaders
Trust leaders

Contents

  1. Who's responsible for setting admissions arrangements?
  2. How admissions criteria are set
  3. Deadline for setting admissions criteria
  4. Changing admission arrangements: requirement to consult
  5. How to consult on admission arrangements
  6. Sixth form admission arrangements

Guidance in this article is taken from the School Admissions Code 2021. The code applies to maintained schools and academies in England. It does not apply to maintained special schools. 

Who's responsible for setting admissions arrangements?

Your school's admissions authority is responsible for formally agreeing admission arrangements every year, even if they haven't changed from previous years. 

This is explained in paragraphs 1.49 and 1.50 of the admissions code, linked above. 

Type of school Who is the admission authority?
Academies Academy trust
Community schools Local authority
Foundation schools Governing board
Voluntary aided schools Governing board
Voluntary controlled schools Local authority

If you're in a voluntary aided or foundation school, or an academy, and therefore you are your own admissions authority, a decision to offer or refuse admission must not be made by 1 individual. The whole governing board, or an admissions committee established by the governing board, must make such decisions.

If your school is undersubscribed, every child that

Also in this topic: Admissions processes and appeals
Show more
Top articles