Admissions
What will be the selection criteria for acceptance of pupils?
The website has a section on Admissions and a summary of the admissions policy for the Academy is also available there. As explained in the Newsletter, there will be 63 places for the Catholic community, 63 places for the Anglican community and 54 places for other students in the local community for each year group at the Academy.
If the Academy is not oversubscribed, all students who want to will be able to attend. If the Academy is oversubscribed, preference will be given to the three categories outlined above in accordance with the Academy’s admissions policy.
Would the Academy continue to offer a number of places to those from other Christian & faith communities as Christ College currently does?
Yes
Why is it 180 pupils in each Year group?
Demographic projections by the Local Authority indicate that 180 places should provide sufficient places to meet, in conjunction with other schools, the anticipated pupil population in the coming years.
Who will be able to attend the Academy?
The Academy is intended to serve families associated with the Catholic and Anglican parish communities in Cheltenham and those of other denominations and faiths, and none, in west Cheltenham, who are happy to attend an explicitly Christian institution. Thus, 35% of places will be available to Catholics, 35% to Anglicans and 30% to other local families. There will be more places available than currently at Christ College.
Will the Academy admit pupils with statements of Special Educational Needs?
Yes. The Academy will be fully inclusive and will cater for children of all abilities. It will have full regard to the SEN code of practice and statutory guidance on inclusion. The Academy’s independent status will not affect parents’ rights to appeal to SEN and Disability Tribunal
You may be interested to note that Academies on average admit more pupils with SEN (both with and without statements) than other schools in England. They also, on average, admit more SEN pupils (both with and without statements) than their predecessor schools.
Will opening the Academy adversely affect other schools in the area?
The new Academy will be part of the local family of schools, sharing its facilities and expertise with other schools and the wider community, contributing to raising standards across the whole area.
Will pupils from Christ College be guaranteed a place at the Academy?
All pupils at Christ College would have the option of transferring to the Academy should they choose to do so.
Can you please explain the selection of 30% of places to non Catholic/Anglican students?
The allocation of places is as follows:
35% Catholic students – 63 places
35% Anglican students– 63 places
30% other local students– 54 places
The Dioceses want to offer 9 Church of England primaries and 2 Catholic primaries places at the new Academy as well as twice the number of local community places than is currently the case at Christ College.
