ADMISSIONS POLICIES, APPEALS & WAITING LISTS

Agreed Admission Arrangements (Years 7–13)

This page summarises the technical arrangements for ease of reference.
 

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Consultation & statusSixth Form admissionsYears 7–11 admission criteriaAdmission outside normal age groupContact & queries

 

Consultation & policy status

Cranford Community College consulted on its proposed Admissions Policy for 2026–27 from 6 October 2024 to 31 January 2025.

Consultees included parents of children aged 2–18, interested parties, all admissions authorities in the local area, the local authority and adjoining local authorities.

  • Considered by the Academy Trust Board by 28 February 2025.
  • Agreed version (unaltered from draft) published 23 February 2025 and provided to the Local Authority.
  • The Admissions Policy 2027–28 is open to consultation until 31 January 2026.

 

Consultation (2027–28) open until 31 Jan 2026

 

Contributions & queries

Send consultation contributions or admissions queries to the Head of Admissions, Ms Dhillon, via the Contact Us tab on the website.

Admissions Policy (full)Parent‑friendly overviewLocal Authority coordinated scheme

This page summarises arrangements for convenience. Where there is any discrepancy, the published Admissions Policy and the Local Authority’s coordinated admissions scheme take precedence.

 

Years 7–11: Admission criteria (explained)

Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) naming the academy are admitted before other allocations.

Oversubscription priorities

Order Criterion
1 Looked after children and previously looked after children.
2 Exceptional medical and social need.
3 Sibling.
4 Children of any member of staff where either:
  • (A) the member of staff has been employed at the academy for 2+ continuous years at the application date; and/or
  • (B) the member of staff is recruited to a post with a demonstrable skills shortage.
5 Distance tie‑breaker: if a single place remains and two or more children meet the next criterion equally, allocation is by distance*.

* Distance measurement method and mapping base are defined in the full policy and the Local Authority’s coordinated admissions scheme.

 

Admission outside the normal age group

Principle: The academy’s policy and practice are that children are educated in the normal chronological year group, with differentiated curriculum as appropriate.

Placement outside the normal age group will be considered only in very limited circumstances.

Key points

  • Placement follows date of birth.For example, a child of Year 8 age would start in Year 8 (if a vacancy exists) with transitional support, not Year 7.
  • Parents/carers may request out‑of‑year admission; there is no right to insist. Each case is judged on its merits and the child’s best interests.
  • Department for Education guidance supports education in normal age groups except in limited circumstances.
  • If a child is educated outside normal age presently, contact Hounslow Council Admissions (admissions@hounslow.gov.uk • 020 8583 2711). Online secondary transfer may not be available in such cases.

 

Information to provide with a request

  • Parents’ views.
  • Recent evidence of the child’s academic, social and emotional development.
  • Relevant medical history and/or professional views.
  • Whether the child has previously been educated out of their normal age group.

The view of the Headteacher is an important part of the consideration.

The Local Authority may also consult professionals to assess whether any of the following apply:

  • Significant delay in intellectual development/educational skills across subjects such that reasonable curriculum differentiation (with SEN support) is insufficient.
  • Physical maturity significantly different from peers.
  • Equivalent delay in emotional development and social skills appropriate for a younger group.

Parents will be notified of the outcome.

If agreed, the Admission Authority will confirm how to proceed. 

Statutory right of appeal applies to refusal of a place, but not to a preference for a different year group once a place is offered.

 

Cranford’s Sixth Form: Admission criteria

Planned admission number (external candidates): 15   (may be exceeded where demand can be met for available courses)

 

Academic & capacity thresholds

  • Average GCSE point score across the best 8 subjects*.
  • Subject‑specific GCSE grade criteria for intended courses (minimums are published on the academy website and may change).
  • Course capacity: sufficient places must be available on the proposed programme.
  • Course viability: courses run subject to demand and staffing.
  • Repeat study: students will not normally be permitted to repeat the same courses after an unsuccessful first attempt.

Applications from external pupils must include acceptable evidence that entry criteria are met at enrolment. Where applications exceed places, offers will be made in the order of priority in the academy’s admission criteria.

Permanent exclusions: no re‑admission incl. Sixth Form

 

 

 

 

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