Admissions Consultation 2027/28

The Academy proposes to reduce its Published Admission Number for entry into Year 7 from 219 to 210 places from September 2027. This means that, from the 2027/28 academic year onwards, the Academy would admit a maximum of 210 students into Year 7.

Rationale:

• Efficient Use of Resources: A PAN of 210 allows the Academy to operate more efficiently, ensuring effective deployment of staff while maintaining high-quality provision for all students.
• Accommodation and Capacity: This reflects the capacity of the school’s buildings and facilities, allowing for optimal class sizes and a balanced learning environment.
• Local Demographic Trends: Forecasts suggest a stable or slightly declining demand for secondary school places. A PAN of 210 ensures the Academy continues to meet local needs without creating an excess of places.
• Sustaining Quality of Education: Reducing the PAN supports the Academy’s commitment to excellent teaching, strong pastoral care, and an inclusive ethos consistent with the values of Archway Learning Trust.

Lees Brook Academy is proposing to introduce a “Children of Staff” criterion as part of the main oversubscription criteria, in line with section 1.39 of the School Admissions Code 2014. Under this proposal, priority would be given to children of staff after looked-after and previously looked-after children. A clear definition of “Children of Staff” is included in the ‘Notes’ section of the admission arrangements to ensure transparency and consistency.

Proposed wording:

Children of staff, specifically teaching or support staff, full- or part-time, on the payroll of Archway Learning Trust working at Lees Brook Academy at the time of admission, where:

• the member of staff has been employed at the Academy for two or more years at the time the application for admission is made, and/or
• the member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage.

Rationale:

• Retention and recruitment: This criterion helps the Academy attract and retain high-quality staff by offering priority to their children.
• Fairness: The criteria are clear and apply only to staff with a genuine connection to the Academy, either through long-term service or recruitment into a post with a proven skill shortage.

The Academy proposes to amend the wording of the arrangements relating to twins, triplets, and children of other multiple births, in the notes section under the sibling criterion.

Proposed revised wording:

“Where applications are received for twins, triplets, or other children of multiple births, if one child from the multiple birth is allocated a place, all children from the same multiple birth will be offered a place. This may result in the Academy admitting above the published admission number.”

Rationale:

The revised clarification aligns with the School Admissions Code by allowing the Academy to exceed the PAN to accommodate multiple-birth children. It removes the previous requirement for parents to choose between siblings and provides clear and transparent information on how such applications will be managed.

During a recent review of the school’s admission arrangements, the Trust identified that a formal external sixth form Published Admission Number (PAN) had not previously been set or published. The Trust is therefore proposing to introduce a clearly defined external PAN and associated arrangements to ensure full transparency and compliance with the School Admissions Code.

A published external PAN will apply to students seeking admission into Year 12 who are not already on roll in Year 11 at Lees Brook Academy. This PAN, along with the entry requirements and oversubscription criteria for post-16 admission, will be clearly stated within the final admission arrangements for 2027/28.

Rationale:

• Transparency: Setting a formal external sixth-form PAN ensures that prospective students and families have clear information about available places.
• Legal Compliance: Establishing and publishing an external PAN ensures the Academy meets statutory requirements under the School Admissions Code.
• Fairness and Consistency: A defined PAN supports a fair and structured admissions process, ensuring equal access for external applicants.