Primary and secondary schools coordinated admissions scheme 2021

All schools located in Buckinghamshire are included within the Buckinghamshire Scheme.

Two nursery Schools in Buckinghamshire are not included in the scheme, but are included in the admission rules:

• Bowerdean Nursery School
• Henry Allen Nursery School

1. This scheme applies to all applications received up to the first day of the autumn term commencing in September to the schools listed in Annex 2 for entry to a Reception Class (either Infant or Combined Schools), Year 3 (Combined School with a Y3 PAN, and Junior Schools), and Year 7 (all secondary schools). All other admissions will be dealt with as in-year admissions.
2. Foundation schools, free schools, voluntary aided schools and academies are their own admission authority and will apply their own admission rules to all applicants. They will be responsible for presenting their case at appeal.
3. Local authorities and governing bodies may not refuse to admit children to any relevant age group on the basis of ‘prejudice to efficient education or the efficient use of resources’ unless the number of eligible children exceeds the Published Admission Number (PAN).
4. Admission authorities wishing to exceed the PAN that they had determined during the normal determination process should notify the LA that they intend to admit above their PAN in good time and in accordance with the LA’s published scheme to allow places to be allocated as far as possible within the main allocation process.
5. Any secondary school or Academy which operates criteria for selection by ability or aptitude must ensure its arrangements for assessing ability or aptitude enable decisions to be made on applications in line with the timing requirements of this scheme.
6. The scheme shall apply to every school and Academy in the LA area with the exception of special schools and shall take effect from September 2021. This includes applications for (fee paying) boarding places at The Royal Grammar School.