We are here to help
This page sets out what admissions authorities must do each year, how to change arrangements, the consultation rules and the diocesan support available.
Please don’t hesitate to get in contact with us if you have any questions:
admissions@leeds.anglican.org.uk
Who does what?
The responsibility for drafting, implementing, and reviewing Admissions Policies rests with the designated Admissions Authority.
- For Voluntary Aided (VA) schools, the governing body acts as the admissions authority.
- For Voluntary Controlled (VC) schools, the Local Authority (LA) acts as the admissions authority.
- For academies, the Trust Board acts as the admissions authority. They may delegate that authority to the local level within a multi-academy trust.
Quick start: What you must do each year
- Review your admissions arrangements annually.
Every admission authority is required to review its arrangements each year, even where no changes are proposed. - Formally determine your admission arrangements by 28 February each year.
This is required even when arrangements remain unchanged. - Publish the determined arrangements on your school website by 15 March and keep them visible for the whole offer year. You must also notify the local authority and relevant bodies by the same date.
Diocesan guidance: Key messages
Here are the key expectations of the Diocese in relation to admissions:
- Follow the School Admissions Code (2021) and check you are compliant with all mandatory requirements.
- Ensure your oversubscription criteria reflect your Christian vision and are fair, clear and objective.
- Schools should not use church attendance as oversubscription criteria. However, if using church attendance as oversubscription criteria, schools should adhere to Diocesan Guidance on the matter (see below).
- Use the Church of England Admissions Builder (Online Toolkit) to create/review arrangements.
- Review your admissions arrangements annually.
- Build admissions tasks and key dates into your governing board’s annual calendar.
Reviewing and changing your arrangements
Annual review
All admission authorities should complete an annual review of their arrangements, even where no changes are proposed. We have a support document to help boards with this, see below.
When making changes
It typically takes around 24 months to review, consult and implement new arrangements. For example, to implement changes for entry in September 2029, begin the process in Summer 2027.
A flowchart of the annual process that admissions authorities should follow
Key dates
- Consultation window: 1 October – 31 January
- Determine arrangements: by 28 February
- Publish and notify: by 15 March
Documents
- School Admissions Code (2021) — statutory requirements and timelines.
- Church of England Admissions Builder (Online Toolkit) — for creating/reviewing arrangements.
- Diocesan Admissions Guidance : Use of Church Attendance as Oversubscription Criteria — required if your school chooses to use them.
- Admissions Consultation Guidance — supports compliant consultation.
- Annual Review of Admissions Arrangements— structured support for your annual review.
- Admissions Annual Process Flowchart
- Diocesan Admissions Termly Checklists
Terms explained
- Admissions authority — the body legally responsible for admissions (e.g., governing body, MAT or LA).
- Determination year — the year in which arrangements are formally agreed for the following admissions cycle.
- Offer year — the school year in which places are offered for entry (arrangements must stay visible throughout this year).
- Oversubscription criteria — how places are allocated when there are more applicants than available places.
Contact us
For further information, or to consult on proposed admission arrangements or to send determined Admission Policies, please email: admissions.ed@leeds.anglican.org