The School Admissions Code ensures a fair and straightforward admissions system that promotes equity and fair access for all.  This Code, the School Admission Appeals Code and related legislation have statutory force which admission authorities, governing bodies, local authorities, admission forums, schools adjudicators and admission appeal panels must comply with.

Latest News

Collection of data on secondary preferences met

Local authorities are required to submit data to the Department on the number of secondary school applications made and offers met on National Offer Day each year. In 2010, this falls on 1 March. Local authorities may also provide updated data in September each year. Download revised guidance on submitting secondary preference data. (Please note, this version of the guidance contains additional amendments made after the guidance was initially issued on 4 January. These amendments relate to how applications received after the closing date should be treated.)

Four-year-olds

Sir Jim Rose completed his review of the primary curriculum in April 2009 and recommended that children should ideally start school in the September following their fourth birthday. The Secretary of State accepted that recommendation and announced that all parents should be able to choose this option if that is what is best for their child. Parents will be able to choose for their child to start school on a part-time or full-time basis, or choose a place at a nursery or other early learning setting if they would prefer this. A revised School Admissions Code will, subject to the Parliamentary process, come into force on
10 February 2010, and will require all admission authorities to provide parents with this choice of a school place for entry from September 2011. The changes affect two paragraphs of the current Code, which are detailed below:

Admission of children below compulsory school age

2.65   For admission to the 2011–12 school year, and subsequent years, admission authorities for primary schools must provide for the admission of all children in the September following their fourth birthday. When determining the arrangements for primary schools the admission authority must make it clear that:

a)  the arrangements do not apply to those being admitted for nursery provision including nursery provision delivered in a co-located children’s centre;

b)  parents of children who are admitted for nursery provision must apply for a place at the school if they want their child to transfer to the reception class;

c)  attendance at the nursery or co-located children’s centre does not guarantee admission to the school;

d)  parents can request that the date their child is admitted to the school is deferred until later in the school year or until the child reaches compulsory school age in that school year;

e)  parents can request that their child attends part-time until the child reaches compulsory school age.

Deferred entry to primary schools

2.69    Admission authorities must allow parents of children who are offered a place at the school before they are of compulsory school age to defer their child’s entry until later in the school year. Where entry is deferred, admission authorities must hold the place for that child and not offer it to another child. The parent would not however be able to defer entry beyond the beginning of the term after the child’s fifth birthday, nor beyond the academic year for which the original application was accepted. This must be made clear in the admission arrangements for the school.

Word Written Ministerial Statement
Word Explanatory memorandum
Word Impact assessment
Word Consultation analysis
Word UPDATED: Letter to local authorities with updated information on the implementation of arrangements for four-year-olds

Questions and answers on the coordination of in-year applications

From the 2010/2011 school year, local authorities are required to coordinate applications made outside the normal admissions round. They must formulate a scheme for the coordination of these applications by 1 January 2010. The Department has produced some questions and answers to assist local authorities in formulating their schemes. The Q&A will also be of interest to school admission authorities.

Word Download Q&A document

The Department has written to all Directors of Children's Services regarding School Admission Appeals and Choice Advisers

PDF View the document

Frequently asked questions on Appeals Code 2009

Word Your questions answered on the revised Appeals Code and regulations

Guidance on the new role of Admission Forums is now available

View the guidance in the Guidance and Reports section