Consultation begins on changes to school admissions criteria

Public consultation begins today (Monday 3 Oct) on plans to change the admission criteria to Bury’s secondary schools.

The current policy gives higher priority to children who live within a designated catchment area than children with siblings in the school and children who may live geographically closer, but not within the specified catchment area.

The proposed change will remove the barrier for admission to the nearest school, due to the locally set historic boundaries of a catchment area.

If a school is over-subscribed, priority will be given firstly to ‘looked after’ children, then those with an older brother or sister at the school, and then to those living nearest the school.

The changes, if adopted, would come into effect for applications for secondary school places for the academic year 2024/25 and would apply to all Community secondary schools and non-faith-based academies on behalf of their muti academy trusts.

The consultation runs until 5 December. To take part, and for more details of the proposals, go to www.bury.gov.uk/admissions

ENDS

Press release issued: 3 October 2022.