Admission Arrangements and Policies

Policy Documentation for admission arrangements for 2025/26, 2026/27 and 2027/28

Admissions to Community Primary Schools

City of Doncaster Council is responsible for the admission arrangements of all community primary schools.

This year we have seen the academisation of more community schools in Doncaster but in general they continue to follow the Local Authority community school admission arrangements.

Queries about the arrangements can be directed as follows:-

Community Schools, Co-ordination or Catchment Areas - City of Doncaster Council, Civic Office, Waterdale, Doncaster, DN1 3BU

Other Admission Authorities

Academies, Free Schools, and Voluntary Aided schools are their own admission authorities. This includes the majority of primary schools and all secondary schools.

These schools are responsible for their own admission arrangements and also have to consult on these arrangements at least once every 7 years or sooner if there are to be any changes. Changes will be publicised on the schools own website and consultation will take place within the relevant area.

Queries about the arrangements can be directed as follows:-

i) Voluntary Aided primary schools - the Governing Body of the school
ii) Academies - the Governing Body/Trustee's of the Academy

2025/26

Publication Information	Information on the published arrangements is given below
	Queries about the arrangements can be directed as follows:- i) Voluntary Aided primary schools - the Governing Body of the school ii) Academies - the Governing Body/Trustee's of the Academy iii) Community Schools, Co-ordination or Catchment Areas - City of Doncaster Council, Civic Office, Waterdale, Doncaster, DN1 3BU or email at admissions@doncaster.gov.uk These policies were considered by City of Doncaster Council’s Cabinet on 17 January 2024.
Policies and Documents	These can be found in the Policies and Documents section on this page
2026/27

Publication Information	Information on the published arrangements is given below
	Queries about the arrangements can be directed as follows:- i) Voluntary Aided primary schools - the Governing Body of the school ii) Academies - the Governing Body/Trustee's of the Academy iii) Community Schools, Co-ordination or Catchment Areas - City of Doncaster Council, Civic Office, Waterdale, Doncaster, DN1 3BU or email at admissions@doncaster.gov.uk These policies were considered by City of Doncaster Council’s Cabinet on 17 January 2025.
Policies and Documents	These can be found in the Policies and Documents section on this page
2027/28 - Determination and Consultation From the 27^th October 2025 to the 7^th December 2025, the Council will be consulting on the admission arrangements for the 2027/28 academic year. This consultation covers all community schools, and we are also consulting on behalf of our Academies and Voluntary Aided Schools, with the exception of Outwood Academy Danum who are undertaking their own consultation.

Publication Information	Information on the proposed draft admission arrangements is given below
	The majority of the 2027/28 admission arrangements are the same as previous years, however there are some minor changes as detailed below: Waiting lists to run until the end of the academic year. Measurement information updated to reflect change from Capita to Synergy Multiple birth information updated Deferred and delayed entry information If you have any comments on the proposed changes these can be emailed to steph.cowling@doncaster.gov.uk Once the consultation period ends all the responses will be considered by the appropriate admissions authority, and the final policies will be agreed by the 28^th February 2026. The policies will then be published on this website from the 15^th March 2026. Queries about the arrangements can be directed as follows:- Voluntary Aided primary schools - the Governing Body of the school Academies - the Governing Body/Trustee's of the Academy Community Schools, Co-ordination or Catchment Areas - City of Doncaster Council, Civic Office, Waterdale, Doncaster, DN1 3BU or email at admissions@doncaster.gov.uk These policies will be considered by City of Doncaster Council’s Cabinet in January 2026. Outwood Academy Danum are proposing to reduce their Published Admission Number. They will be publishing details of the changes on their website at Outwood Academy Danum Academies that are part of Exceed Learning Partnership are not part of this consultation.
Policies and Documents	These can be found in the Policies and Documents section on this page

Relevant Area for Consultation on Admission Arrangements

The Education (Relevant Areas for Consultation on Admission Arrangements) Regulations 1999 requires all local authorities to biannually review the relevant area which identifies all schools must be consulted on changes to admission arrangements. City of Doncaster Council has determined the Relevant Area for Admission to schools as the geographical area covered by the City of Doncaster Council. This will be reviewed for admissions in September 2027.