Admissions

The Willows Academy Trust Board of Directors (the trustees) are the admissions authority for all schools within the Willows Academy Trust.  Admissions to schools within Willows Academy Trust are processed by the Local Authority as part of the Derbyshire Coordinated Admissions Scheme. 

The following link will open the Derbyshire County Council website page where you will find guidance about application dates and how to apply 

Apply for a school place - Derbyshire County Council

If you have any queries, please contact the school office at the school of your choice.

Please scroll down for further details. 

Admissions Arrangements 2023/24

The admissions arrangements for our schools have not changed for 2023/24.  Further details can be found on each school's website and on the following link: Derbyshire school admission arrangements 2023 to 2024 

• Applications open on 7th Nov 2022
• The deadline application date for primary admissions for the September 2023 intake is midnight on 15th January 2022
• The offer date for the September 2023 intake is 17th April 2023 (National Offer Day).  If you apply online you'll also be able to log on to the website from this date to view your offer.  If you don't have an email address, your offer will be posted second class on 17th April 2023

Admission arrangements for 2022/2023

The admission arrangements for our schools have not changed for 2022/23.  Further details can be found on each school's website and on the following link: Derbyshire school admission arrangements 2022 to 2023 

• Applications open on 8th November 2021
• The deadline application date for primary admissions for the September 2022 intake is 15th January 2022
• The offer date for the September 2022 intake is 19th April 2022 (National Offer Day).  If you apply online you'll also be able to log on to the website from this date to view your offer.  If you don't have an email address, your offer will be posted second class on 17th April 2023

Admission arrangements for 2021/2022

Information on the admission arrangements for 2021/2022 can be found on each school's website and on the following link: Derbyshire school admission arrangements 2021 to 2022

Details of how to make late or in-year applications and the appeals process can be found on the following link: Apply for a school place - Derbyshire County Council   

Admissions Arrangements 2022/23 - Consultation outcome (consultation now closed)

The directors of Willows Academy Trust consulted on the admissions arrangements for Dovedale Primary School and Shardlow Primary School for admissions in 2022/23, in accordance with the statutory requirement set out in the School Admissions Code for schools to consult on their admissions arrangements every 7 years.  The consultation ran from 9 November to 21 December 2020.  On the conclusion of the consultation, one response was received in relation to a proposal to change admissions criteria at Shardlow Primary School.  This was considered by local governors and the Willows Academy Trust Board of Directors. 

As the admissions authority for Willows Academy Trust, the Board of Directors agreed that no change would be made to the admissions arrangements at Shardlow Primary School or Dovedale Primary School for 2022/23 

The Willows Academy Trust Admissions Policy and admissions arrangements for Dovedale Primary School and Shardlow Primary School are available on each school's website and here on the Willows Academy Trust website. Copies are also available on request.

Current Published Admission Numbers (PAN)

Sawley Junior School

Published Admission Number (PAN) is 90 pupils

http://www.sawleyjunior.co.uk/ 

Sawley Infant & Nursery School 

Published Admission Number (PAN) is 90 pupils

http://www.sawleyinfantschool.co.uk/

Shardlow Primary School

Published Admission Number (PAN) is 12 pupils for 2021/22 and has been increased to 14 pupils for 2022/23 onwards

http://www.shardlowprimary.co.uk/

Dovedale Primary School

Published Admission Number (PAN) is 60 pupils

http://www.dovedaleprimaryschool.co.uk/

Admission appeals

Any applicant refused a place at one of our schools has a right of appeal to an independent appeal panel.  Please contact Derbyshire County Council Admissions team in accordance with their published policy in the first instance.

2021/22 (in-year admissions only)

• If your appeal relates to an in-year admission you should submit your appeal within 28 days of being told that your application has been unsuccessful. 

2022/23 application round  

• If your appeal is for a child transferring to a junior school or starting an infant or primary school in September 2022 and you are told of the decision on 19th April 2023 (National Offer Day) you should submit your appeal by 16 May 2022. 

• If you are told of an infant, junior or primary decision after 19th April 2021 or it relates to an in-year admission you should submit your appeal within 28 days of being told that your application was unsuccessful. 

2023/24 application round

• If your appeal is for a child transferring to a junior school or starting an infant or primary school in September 2023 and you are told of the decision on 17th April 2023 (National Offer Day) you should submit your appeal by 17th May 2023). 

• If you are told of an infant, junior or primary decision after 17th April 2023 or it relates to an in-year admission you should submit your appeal within 28 days of being told that your application was unsuccessful. 

Further information about admission appeals can be found on GOV.UK.