George Dixon Academy

Admissions Policy

Application Process for your Child to attend GDA

Arrangements for applications for places at the GDA will be made in accordance with the LA’s co-ordinated admission arrangements and will be made on the Common Application Form provided and administered by the relevant local authority.

The Academy Trust will use the Birmingham LA’s timetable for applications to the GD Academy each year (exact dates within the months may vary from year to year). This will fit in with the timetable for the co-ordination of admission arrangements within Birmingham LA as agreed by the Birmingham LA, local schools and Academies. The Academy Trust will publish information about the arrangements for admission, including oversubscription criteria, for the following September. This will include details of open evenings and other opportunities for prospective pupils and their parents to visit the school. 

During September and October, the Academy Trust will provide opportunities for parents to visit the Academy. In October, the Application Form to be completed and returned to the pupil’s home LA to administer. The Birmingham LA sends GD Academy applications to the Academy Trust which then sends list of pupils to be offered places at the GD Academy to Birmingham LA.

In February, Birmingham LA applies agreed scheme for own schools, informing other LA’s of offers to be made to their residents. At the beginning of March offers are made to parents.

The Academy Trust will consider equally all applications for places at GDA.

Arrangement in place for selecting pupils

In any specific year, the Academy Trust may set a higher admission number than the GDA’s agreed admission number for an applicable year group.. Pupils will not be admitted in any year group above the published admission number for that year group unless exceptional circumstances apply and such circumstances shall be reported to the Secretary of State.

Operation of waiting lists

Subject to any provisions regarding waiting lists in the LA’s co-ordinated admission scheme, the Academy will operate a waiting list for each year group. Where in any year the GDA receives more applications for places than there are places available, a waiting list will operate for one academic year during which time it will be the responsibility of the applicant’s parent/carer to inform the GDA of their wish for their child to remain on the shortlist.

Arrangements for Admitting Students to Other Year Groups

Local authorities will co-ordinate admissions for in-year applications and for applications for year groups other than the normal point(s) of entry. This will not affect Academies’ right to determine which applicants have priority for admission. Subject to any provisions in the LA’s co-ordinated admission arrangements relating to applications submitted for years other than the normal year of entry, the Academy Trust will consider all such applications and if the year group applied for has a place available, admit the child unless one of the permitted reliefs apply. Parents whose application is turned down shall be entitled to appeal.