School Admissions
In July 2020, the four schools in the Bury St Edmunds Trust joined Unity Schools Partnership. However for the 2021/22 admission round, the admissions policies of our schools are unchanged and the notes, forms and processes of the former Trust below are correct. We operate 4-19 all-through schooling in three phases: 4-9; 9-13; 13-18. We have chosen to work this way because the all-through approach removes the dips traditionally seen as children move to new schools and the 3 phases best match children’s development. The Trust’s admission arrangements are therefore designed to enable pupils, and their siblings, to move seamlessly through the phases. This is achieved as follows:
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Middle PhaseAll Year 4 children, whatever primary school they attend, can apply for a Year 5 place at either Horringer Court or Westley - which gives them priority for a place at County Upper in due course. Applications can be made between early September and early January. Upper PhaseAll Year 8 children, whatever school they attend, can apply for a Year 9 place at County Upper. Pupils already in a Trust school have a higher priority for places than those who are not. Applications can be made between early September and the end of October. |
How to Apply
The application process varies depending on which campus you want to join. Please choose the campus of interest below.
Applying to Tollgate Campus
Tollgate is a Trust academy school in our 4–9 primary phase.
Normal Process - Joining Reception in Sept 2022Applicable admissions policy: Sep 2022 If you want to apply to join Tollgate in its Reception Year in Sept 2022 you need to:
once the admissions window opens in September. If you missed this year’s normal application window but would still like to apply to join this September, you can can still apply using the CAF1 form, but those who applied within time will normally have their applications considered before your application. In that case the applicable admissions policy is Sep 2021 The completed CAF1 form should be sent to the Suffolk’s Admissions Team. |
In-Year Process - Joining existing year groupsIf you want to apply to move into any existing year group, you need to:
The completed ADM1 form should be sent to the school. |
Supplementary Information Form (SIF)
If your child has a medical condition that you wish to be considered as part of the application process, you should complete a SIF which is available direct from the school.
Applying to Horringer Court Campus
Horringer Court is a Trust academy school in our 9–13 middle phase.
Normal Process - Joining Year 5 in Sept 2022Applicable admissions policy: Sep 2022 If you want to apply to join Horringer Court in Year 5 in Sept 2022 you need to:
once the admissions window opens in September. If you missed this year’s normal application window but would still like to apply to join this September, you can can still apply using the CAF1 form, but those who applied within time will normally have their applications considered before your application. In that case the applicable admissions policy is Sep 2021 The completed CAF1 form should be sent to the Suffolk’s Admissions Team. |
In-Year Process - Joining existing year groupsIf you want to apply to move into any existing year group, you need to:
The completed ADM1 form should be sent to the school. |
Supplementary Information Form (SIF)
If your child has a medical condition that you wish to be considered as part of the application process, you should complete a SIF which is available direct from the school.
Applying to Westley Campus
Westley is a Trust academy school in our 9–13 middle phase.
Normal Process - Joining Year 5 in Sept 2022Applicable admissions policy: Sep 2022 If you want to apply to join Westley in Year 5 in Sept 2022 you need to:
once the admissions window opens in September. If you missed this year’s normal application window but would still like to apply to join this September, you can can still apply using the CAF1 form, but those who applied within time will normally have their applications considered before your application. In that case the applicable admissions policy is Sep 2021 The completed CAF1 form should be sent to the Suffolk’s Admissions Team. |
In-Year Process - Joining existing year groupsIf you want to apply to move into any existing year group, you need to:
The completed ADM1 form should be sent to the school. |
Supplementary Information Form (SIF)
If your child has a medical condition that you wish to be considered as part of the application process, you should complete a SIF which is available direct from the school.
Applying to County Upper Campus
County Upper is a Trust academy school in our 13–18 upper phase.
Normal Process - Joining Year 9 in Sept 2022Applicable admissions policy: Sep 2022 If you want to apply to join County Upper in Year 9 in Sept 2022 you need to:
once the admissions window opens in September. If you missed this year’s normal application window but would still like to apply to join this September, you can can still apply using the CAF1 form, but those who applied within time will normally have their applications considered before your application. In that case the applicable admissions policy is Sep 2021 The completed CAF1 form should be sent to the Suffolk’s Admissions Team. |
In-Year Process - Joining existing year groupsIf you want to apply to move into any existing year group, you need to:
The completed ADM1 form should be sent to the school. |
Supplementary Information Form (SIF)
If your child has a medical condition that you wish to be considered as part of the application process, you should complete a SIF which is available direct from the school.
How to make an appeal
If you have received a letter from the admissions authority refusing your child a place at your preferred school(s) you have the right to appeal. You must complete the Notice of Appeal Form, which you can download from www.suffolk.gov.uk, please return the appeal form directly to the Education Appeals Office, PO Box 579, Ipswich, IP1 2BX marked Private and Confidential.
Is there a deadline to appeal by?
If you are planning to appeal it is very important that your appeal application form is received in good time by the Education Appeals Office. The key dates are set out below.
County Upper
Applications received on time for admission in September 2020: Send your appeal application form to the Education Appeals Office by 13 April 2021. Appeals received on or before this date will be heard within 40 school days. If you made a late application, your appeal should be heard within 40 school days from the deadline for lodging an appeal of 13 April 2021, where possible, or within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged.
Other Trust Schools
Applications for other Trust schools received on time for admission in September 2020: Send your appeal application form to the Education Appeals Office by 17th May 2021. Appeals received on or before this date will be heard within 40 school days. If you made a late application, your appeal should be heard within 40 school days from the deadline for lodging an appeal of 17th May 2021, where possible, or within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged.
In-Year appeals
If your application is refused for an in-year admission or for the first year of entry and it is submitted on or after the first day of the autumn school term of the admission year, your appeal will be heard within 30 school days of the form being received by The Education Appeals office.