Admissions

Admissions for Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary Schools and Academies

In the case of Church of England Voluntary Aided (CEVA) Primary Schools the Governing Body is the Admissions Authority.

In the case of an Academy - at a "standalone" Academy the Directors are the Admissions Authority; for a school within a Multi Academy Trust, the Directors of the MAT are the Admissions Authority.

Admissions to CEVA Primary Schools and Academies | PDF

Application for admission for first entry to primary school at age 4+ must be completed by 15 January in the year that you intend for your child to start.

All applications are processed by the local authority. Admissions at other times are made direct to CEVA Primary Schools and all academies

Suffolk County Council School Places | Weblink

Admissions for Church of England Voluntary Controlled Schools

In all Church of England Voluntary Controlled Schools the Local Authority (Suffolk County Council) is the Admissions Authority. Of particular importance to those applying because the School has a Church of England foundation is the condition relating to oversubscription category 3a. 

Application for admission for first entry to primary school at age 4+ must be completed by 15 January in the year that you intend for your child to start.

All applications are processed by the local authority. 

Suffolk County Council School Places | Weblink

NEW SCC is currently consulting on proposed admission arrangements for the 2023/2024 school year.  One of the changes is to remove church attendance from the oversubscription criteria for admission to VC schools.  The consultation runs from 1 October - 12 November 2021.  For the consultation, please use the link below.

Consultation on admissions to schools in Suffolk for the 2023/2024 school year | Weblink

Further information

Admissions advice for schools (September 2021) | PDF

Directory of Church of England Schools in Suffolk | Weblink

Directory of Schools in Suffolk for the 2021/2022 school year | Weblink

School Admissions Code 2021 | Weblink

Any queries, please contact Jacqui Studd.

Appeals process

The School Standards and Framework Act 1998 gives parents the right to appeal against the decision of any Admissions Authority if that body is unable to meet the parents' preference for choice of School. 

This page cannot give a definitive guide to Appeals, rather it aims to signpost you to the best sources of information. It can also serve as a reminder for Schools as to their role in the process. 

The Education Appeals Office is the independent body which administers all Admission Appeals within Suffolk. It is unable to offer personal advice about individual appeals. However the Advisory Centre for Education (A.C.E.) is a national charity that provides advice and information to parents and carers on a wide range of school-based issues. Call them on 0300 011 5142 or look at their website.

ACE Education | Weblink 

The Education Appeals Office (EAO) can be contacted by email or call 01473 264218 or 01473 264219 or 01473 264227. 

Education Admission Appeals information on SCC website | Weblink

This website also provides the latest EAO Guidance Booklet and Notice of Appeals Form.

Statutory Admission Appeals Code of Practice 2021 | Weblink

Please note that all appeal hearings are being held remotely for the foreseeable future.

Schools are reminded that they can access support from the Deputy Diocesan Director of Education.

Statutory Consultation

All Church of England Voluntary Aided schools and academies have now concluded the statutory consultation on their Admission Policies for the 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 academic years. Appropriate variations have been added to policies to comply with changes to the Code, with effect from 1^st September 2021.