In accordance with the School Admissions Code, the Archway Learning Trust is required to consult on proposed admission arrangements for its academies when changes are proposed or at least once every seven years. This page provides the statutory consultation information for all academies within the Trust undertaking consultation this year.
Purpose of the Consultation
The consultation gives stakeholders the opportunity to review and comment on proposed changes to admission criteria, Published Admission Numbers (PANs), over-subscription criteria, or other aspects of an academy’s admission arrangements. Following the consultation period all responses will be reviewed by the Board of Trustees before final arrangements are determined and published in line with statutory requirements
Consultation Period
The Trust is running a single six-week consultation (8 December 2025–21 January 2026) covering proposed admission arrangements for the academies listed below. Some academies are consulting on changes; others are not required to consult this year.
How to Respond
Comments can be submitted in the following ways:
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Online Consultation Form: Archway Learning Trust – Admission Arrangements Consultation 2027/28 – Online form
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Post: The Clerk to the Board of Trustees, Archway Learning Trust, Aspley Lane, Nottingham, NG8 5GY
Please clearly state the academy your response relates to. All responses must be received by 5:00pm on 21 January 2026.
Academies Consulting on Admission Arrangements
Primary Academies
Proposed changes:
- Introduce a Children of Staff oversubscription criterion for teaching and support staff.
- Re-order oversubscription criteria so that children with a sibling at the school are prioritised before children living in the catchment area without a sibling.
- Add a clarification that all children from a multiple birth (e.g., twins or triplets) will be offered a place if one is allocated, even if this exceeds the PAN, including exceptions for infant class size rules.
Rationale:
The Children of Staff criterion supports recruitment and retention of high-quality staff. Re-ordering the oversubscription criteria strengthens family continuity and fairness. Updating the multiple-birth clause ensures transparency, reflects current practice, and aligns with the School Admissions Code.
View full consultation:
Bluecoat Bentinck Primary Academy Admission Consultation 2027/28
Proposed changes:
- Introduce a Children of Staff oversubscription criterion for teaching and support staff.
- Add a clarification that all children from a multiple birth (e.g., twins or triplets) will be offered a place if one is allocated, even if this exceeds the PAN, including exceptions for infant class size rules.
Rationale:
The Children of Staff criterion supports recruitment and retention of high-quality staff. Updating the multiple-birth clause ensures transparency, reflects current practice, and aligns with the School Admissions Code.
View full consultation:
Proposed changes:
- Introduce a Children of Staff oversubscription criterion for teaching and support staff.
- Merge and revise faith-based criteria to create a single category for children involved in Church of England parishes or other Christian churches affiliated with Churches Together in England or the Evangelical Alliance.
- To update its catchment boundary to improve clarity, reflect current residential patterns, and ensure fair access for local families.
- Remove the “Special Circumstances” criterion to simplify admissions and ensure fairness.
Rationale:
The Children of Staff criterion supports recruitment and retention of high-quality staff. Revising the faith-based criteria ensures clarity, consistency, and alignment with Diocesan guidance. Updating the catchment area reflects local development and improves clarity for families. Removing the Special Circumstances criterion simplifies the process, ensures fairness, and aligns the Academy with other Trust schools.
View full consultation:
Colwick St John the Baptist Primary Academy Admission Consultation 2027/28
Secondary Academies
Please note: This consultation relates to the 2028/29 academic year (one year ahead of the usual consultation cycle) because changes are being proposed.
Proposed changes:
- Reduce Year 7 PAN from 210 to 180 from September 2028.
- Introduce a Children of Staff oversubscription criterion for teaching and support staff.
- Add a clarification that all children from a multiple birth (e.g., twins or triplets) will be offered a place if one is allocated, even if this exceeds the PAN.
Rationale:
Reducing the PAN supports smaller, more stable cohorts, improving teaching, learning, and pastoral support while reflecting local demographic trends and projected demand. The Children of Staff criterion helps attract and retain high-quality staff in key roles, ensuring fairness and transparency. Updating the multiple-birth clause aligns the Academy with the School Admissions Code, providing clarity and continuity for families.
View full consultation:
Proposed changes:
- No changes are proposed to the Academy’s admission arrangements for 2027/28.
- Add a clarification that all children from a multiple birth (e.g., twins or triplets) will be offered a place if one is allocated, even if this exceeds the PAN.
Rationale:
The Academy’s current admission arrangements remain effective, fair, and fully compliant, with no need for amendments. Demand is being met appropriately, and the existing PAN and oversubscription criteria continue to work well. This consultation forms part of the statutory seven-year review and gives stakeholders the opportunity to confirm the arrangements before re-adoption for 2027/28.
View full consultation:
Proposed changes:
- Permanently increase the Year 7 Published Admission Number (PAN) from September 2027.
- Add a clarification that all children from a multiple birth (e.g., twins or triplets) will be offered a place if one is allocated, even if this exceeds the PAN.
- No other changes to the admissions criteria are proposed.
Rationale:
There is high local demand for secondary places, leading Nottingham City Council to request temporary increases of 60 extra Year 7 places per year. With planning now approved and building work underway, the Academy can move to a permanent expansion that aligns with the previous consultation. This phased growth will create 300 additional places over five years, and as an Outstanding provider in an area of greatest need, the Academy is well placed to support this expansion.
View full consultation:
Proposed changes:
- Reduce Year 7 PAN from 219 to 210 from September 2027.
- Introduce a Children of Staff oversubscription criterion for teaching and support staff.
- Add a clarification that all children from a multiple birth (e.g., twins or triplets) will be offered a place if one is allocated, even if this exceeds the PAN.
- Establish a defined external Sixth Form PAN for Year 12 admissions to ensure transparency and compliance.
Rationale:
Reducing the PAN supports smaller, more stable cohorts, improving teaching, learning, and pastoral support while reflecting local demographic trends and projected demand. The Children of Staff criterion helps attract and retain high-quality staff in key roles, ensuring fairness and transparency. Updating the multiple-birth clause aligns the Academy with the School Admissions Code, providing clarity and continuity for families.
View full consultation:
No consultation is required for Bluecoat Aspley Academy, Bluecoat Trent Academy, Alvaston Moor Academy, The Nottingham Emmanuel School and The Long Eaton School this year, as their admission arrangements remain unchanged. The current arrangements will continue to apply for the next academic year, and the full copy for 2027/28 will be published on each academy’s website by 28 February 2026.