Consultation on proposed changes to the Admissions Arrangements for Waddesdon Church of England School to take effect from the beginning of the academic year 2026 – 2027.

Every year the admission authority for all schools and academies are required to review their admission arrangements. The aim is to ensure that the arrangements continue to be appropriate, and that they comply with all the relevant requirements. The admission authority must consult on proposed changes to the admission arrangements.

The admission authority for Waddesdon School is its Governing Board. The Governing Board has decided to consult on proposed changes to the school’s admission arrangements which would take effect from the beginning of the academic year 2026 to 2027.

The proposals on which we are consulting are:
• To include in the definition of a sibling (over-subscription criterion 3a) the son or daughter of the cohabiting partner of the applicant’s parent who permanently live at the applicant’s home address and are being brought up as part of the same core family unit as siblings; and a statement for the avoidance of doubt, that children of extended family members (e.g., cousins) and friends will not be ‘siblings’ for the purpose of this policy, even where they permanently live at the same home address as the applicant.
• a change to criterion 5 of over-subscription criteria from strong commitment to other churches which are members of Churches Together in England or the Evangelical Alliance to strong commitment to a church of another Christian denomination. This change is because some Christian churches are not a member of either of the stated organisations. The definition of Christian denomination to be adopted is suggested by the Catholic Education Service.
• The removal of provision for the closure of churches during the COVID pandemic, as it is no longer required.
• Simplification of the sixth form entry requirements to remove the distinction between applicants with 90 and above Waddesdon Points and those with 80 and above Waddesdon Points.
• Inclusion of the full application process for Year 12.
• A statement that applicants for Year 12 seeking admission due to exceptional circumstances must support their applications with relevant evidence from an independent professional (such as a teacher, doctor, health visitor or Education Welfare Officer) and that each case will be considered on its own merits and circumstances.

Additional changes which we are not required to consult on are:
• Increase in the planned admission number (PAN) for Year 7 from 140 to 145. This change has already been agreed by the local authority and the Department for Education.
• Definitions for a member of staff and their child (as required by the School Admissions Code)

The full proposed admission arrangements are available to read or download below.

The consultation will run from 1 October until 12 November 2024.

The Governing Body invites comments on the proposed changes. Please send your comments to Nicki Logan, Governance Professional, Waddesdon C of E School, School Lane, Waddesdon HP18 0LQ, or email clerk@waddesdonschool.com by 12 November 2024.

Andrew Howard
Chair of Governors