Voluntary Aided schools and academies are their own admissions authorities. They decide on their admission arrangements consulting with other admissions authorities, the local authority and ODBE when there are substantial changes. All admissions authorities are bound by the admissions rules and guidance issued by the Department for Education and must consult every 7 years even if no changes are made to their policies. . The School Admissions Code 2012 permits Voluntary Aided schools and academies to admit children on faith-based criteria, however to help schools and academies adopt an inclusive approach, ODBE recommends that governing bodies consider admission criteria which minimises the use of church affiliation. Voluntary Controlled schools follow the admission arrangements set by their respective local authority.
These documents are provided to assist governors in schools and academies to write their admission arrangements and to follow the lawful admissions procedures.
ODBE Admission Guidance 2025-26
DfE School Admissions Code 2021
DfE Summer Born Guidance for Schools 2021
DfE Summer Born Guidance Overview 2021
DfE Summer Born Advice for Parents 2021
LGO Infant Class Size fact sheet
Refusal Letter Template Infant Class Size
Refusal Letter Template Normal Prejudice