Dear Parent/Colleague,
The Diocese of Sheffield Multi Academy Trust is the admissions authority for our school. This means the trust is responsible for setting the admissions arrangements for the schools within its organisation. When changes are proposed to admission arrangements, all admission authorities must consult on their admission arrangements that will apply for admission applications the following school year.
A change to the policy is proposed for St Alban’s C of E Primary School and the proposed new policy can be found at https://wsap.academy/policies/.
The trust have resolved to consult on a change to admissions policies, starting with the one determined for use next year to offer places to the September 2025 intake. The change is a move from prioritising church attendance to prioritisation of children living locally, in the parish. We believe this to be pastorally and educationally responsible, prioritising allocating places to children who live in the parish community of the school, as determined by the Church of England on “A Church Near You” [https://www.achurchnearyou.com/]
We see this as in keeping with the spirit of the Church of England’s historic commitment to parish schooling, acknowledging that our schools are not faith schools for the faithful, they are Church schools for the community.
Responses can be sent to the trust at a enquiries@dsat.education Please enter “Admissions” in the subject bar.
The consultation will run until 12th January 2024.
We look forward to engaging with schools and communities in this change
Huw Thomas
Chair of DSAT
