Admissions Consultation

Consultation on the proposed 2027-28 admission arrangements for Beacon Primary School 
In accordance with the School Admissions Code, Forward As One CE Multi Academy Trust (the admission authority) is consulting on proposed changes to our admission arrangements for entry in September 2027. Consultation will run for a minimum of 6 weeks from Wednesday 17th December to Wednesday 28th January. This consultation period falls within the statutory window as per the Admissions Code: GOV.UK

We are consulting with parents of children aged 2–18, local schools and admission authorities, the local authority, the diocese and other interested parties in the locality as required under the Admissions Code.

What’s changed/summary of proposals:

• Forward As One Multi Academy Trust is named as admissions authority

• Oversubscription criteria – headline changes:

  • Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) naming the school continue to be admitted before all other applicants.

  • Looked After and Previously Looked After children remain the highest oversubscription priority.

  • The sibling criterion has been clarified and standardised to include half-siblings, step-siblings and children living as part of the same family unit at the same address.

  • Nursery attendance is retained as a defined oversubscription criterion, giving priority to children attending the school nursery at the time of application.

  • The medical and social needs criterion has been tightened so that professional evidence must show the child’s needs can only be met at this school, rather than simply being better met.

  • Distance from the school is used as the final oversubscription criterion, measured in a straight line using the Local Authority’s mapping system.

  • Tie-break arrangements have been clarified and simplified: where distances are equal, places are allocated by independent random allocation.

  • Clearer rules are included for shared or split residency, including how a child’s main address is determined and the limited role of child benefit as supporting evidence.

• A full copy of the proposed admission arrangements are linked below and available on request:

/docs/Beacon_Primary_School_Admissions_Policy_27-28.pdf

Free paper copies are available from the school office at Beacon Primary School, Peter Martin Street, Bolton BL6 7AL

How to respond:
Please respond by Wednesday 28th January 2026 (consultation closes at 5pm on that date). Responses can be submitted by:

• Email: enquiries@fa1.uk (subject: Admissions Consultation)
• Online form: https://forms.office.com/e/HiRQVKCShi
• Post: The Clerk to the Board of Trustees, Forward As One CE Multi Academy Trust, Newnham Street, Bolton, BL1 8QA  (FAO Admissions Consultation)

What happens next:
All responses will be considered by the Trust Board prior to determination of the admission arrangements by 28th February 2026. Once determined, the arrangements will be published on each academy’s website by 15th March and a copy sent to the local authority. Once the final arrangements are determined, anyone with concerns has the right to refer the matter to the Office of the Schools Adjudicator.

Please let us know if you have any questions about the consultation or need the documents in an alternative format.