Joining Year 7

Where the number of applications for admission is greater than the published admissions number (PAN), applications will be prioritised in accordance with the oversubscription criteria set out below. After the admission of pupils with a statement of special education needs or an education health and care plan (EHCP) where the Academy is named on the statement or plan, the criteria will be applied in the order in which they are set out below:

Children living outside the community area for the Academy (a map showing the community area is available here)

Looked after children (children in public care) and Previously Looked After Children. Evidence must be provided.

Children who are subject to a special guardianship order or kinship child arrangements order who have not previously been in local authority care. Evidence must be provided

Children who need a place at the academy on exceptional and compelling social, psychological or medical grounds. Evidence must be provided.

Children of staff employed at the Academy in either or both of the following circumstances:

Where the member of staff has been employed at the Academy for two or more years at the time at which the application for admission to the Academy is made

The member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage

Children who have brothers or sisters already at the academy at the time of application and will still be in the academy at the time of admission. Brothers or sisters may be half or step-siblings (by marriage or co-habitation) or foster siblings but must be living permanently at the same address.

Children living within the community area for the Academy

If there are more children who qualify for a place than places available, places will be allocated to students living closest to the Academy (using the shortest distance from home to school measured in a straight line).

If, after all the relevant criteria have been applied, two applicants cannot be separated for a final place, the Academies Trust will use random allocation to determine the property for the remaining place.

In-Year Admissions

Students and families wishing to apply for places outside the normal admissions round (including Years 8 to 11, and applications to join the Academy part way through Year 7) need to complete an online application on the WSCC website.

If you wish to query availability of space, please contact the Local Authority stating clearly to which academy you are referring and the year group in which you are interested.

Appeals

If the Academy has more applications than places, parents whose child has not been allocated a place may appeal. Appeals will be considered by an independent appeals panel, and this process is managed by East Sussex County Council.

Details of how to appeal can be found on the ESCC website, or by contacting the schools appeals manager at ESCC on 01273 481583, or by emailing schoolappeals@eastsussex.gov.uk.

East Sussex County Council Website – Appeals

If the Academy has more applications than places, parents whose child has not been allocated a place may appeal. Appeals will be considered by an independent appeals panel.

Details of how to appeal can be found on the East Sussex County Council website or by contacting the schools appeals manager at ESCC, either on 01273 481583 or email schoolappeals@eastsussex.gov.uk.

Admissions Round Appeals

• Deadline for submitting an appeal: Friday 27 March 2026
• Appeals to be heard: Throughout April, May and June until Friday 12 June 2026
• Appellants will receive at least 10 school days’ notice of their appeal hearing.
• Decisions letters are sent within five school days of the hearing wherever possible.

In-Year Admission Appeals

• Deadline for receipt of an in-year appeal: you should submit your appeal within 25 school days of being told that your application was refused.
• Your appeal will be heard within 30 school days of it being received.
• Appellants will receive at least 10 school days’ notice of their appeal hearing.
• Decision letters are sent within five school days of the hearing wherever possible.

Extra Evidence

Ideally, evidence supporting an appeal case should be submitted when you make your appeal. However, where this is not possible any extra evidence can be submitted up to seven working days before the hearing. You can send additional evidence after this deadline or bring extra items with you on the day of your hearing; however, it will be for the appeal panel to decide whether to accept any evidence received after the deadline. Submitting extra evidence late can sometimes also lead to your hearing being adjourned, or even postponed to another day.