Admissions policy: model and examples

Download and adapt our model admissions policy or use our admissions policy checklist, both of which meet the requirements of the School Admissions Code 2021. See examples of admissions policies from schools, trusts and a local authority.

Last reviewed on 28 October 2024See updates
Ref: 41750
Statutory/mandatory for:
Maintained schools
Academies
Free schools
Independent schools
Contents
  1. Your requirements
  2. Download our model policy
  3. Policy checklist
  4. Examples from schools

Your requirements

Your school's admission 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 School Admissions Code.

Read more advice about how to set your admission arrangements.

Who is my school's admission authority?

Note for independent schools: you're not required to follow the School Admissions Code, but you are required to have an admissions policy. This is set out in the schedule to The Education (Independent School Standards) Regulations 2014 (see part 6, paragraph 32(1)(b) and 32(3)(a)).

This model policy is designed to be used by maintained schools and academies who act as their own admission authority (see above). It is