2026 proposed school admission arrangements

The 2021 School Admissions Code (The Code) outlines the overall principles behind setting admission arrangements.

It states that:

'In drawing up their admission arrangements, admission authorities must ensure that the practices and the criteria used to decide the allocation of school places are fair, clear and objective. Parents should be able to look at a set of arrangements and understand easily how places for that school will be allocated.' (The Code, page 7, paragraph 14).

When changes are proposed to admission arrangements, all admission authorities must consult on their admission arrangements (including any supplementary information form) that will apply for admission applications the following school year. Where the admission arrangements have not changed from the previous year there is no requirement to consult, subject to the requirement that admission authorities must consult on their admission arrangements at least once every 7 years, even if there have been no changes during that period.' (The Code, page 18, paragraph, 1.45).

Please find Stockton-on-Tees Borough Councils proposed admission arrangements for all Community and Voluntary Controlled primary and secondary schools for entry in September 2026. The Code states that the Local Authority (LA) as the 'admission authority' must determine its arrangements and is explained in these final draft documents:

• Admissions Policy for Primary, Secondary maintained Community and VC Schools for September 2026 (Appendix 1)
• School Admission Numbers for September 2026 (Appendix 2)
• Coordinated Admissions arrangements timetable for Primary and Secondary Schools 2026 to 2027 (Appendix 3)

We are proposing the following amendment for our 2026 to 2027 admission policy:

(a)    to remove the following: Criterion 2. Pupils with a Special Education Need who are going through a statutory assessment and who have been identified as needing a 'named' mainstream school

The following schools have informed the LA that they are also proposing to amend their Published Admission Number (PAN) for entry in September 2026:

(a)    Whitehouse Primary School - to reduce the schools PAN from 55 to 45

There may be other schools and academies considering some amendments to their PAN, so please check with the school's website for more information.

If you have any views or comments on these final draft documents, then contact us by the 18 November 2024.

Postal address: School Admissions, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, Dunedin House, Columbia Drive, Stockton-on-Tees, TS17 6BJ

Email: school.admissions@stockton.gov.uk

The 'admission arrangements' for those schools within borough that are not community or voluntary controlled schools are determined by their respective 'Admission Authority'.

Copies of any determined 'admission arrangements' for voluntary aided, foundation, trust schools, academies and free schools should be available from the individual schools.

Any person or body who considers that any maintained school or academy's arrangements are unlawful, or not in compliance with the code or relevant law relating to admissions, can make an objection to the office of the school's adjudicator.

Further information on how to make an objection can be obtained from the office of the school's adjudicator:

Address: Office of the Schools Adjudicator, Bishopsgate House, Feethams, Darlington, DL1 5QE

Telephone: 01325 340402

Email: osa.team@osa.gsi.gov.uk