The Local Authority has launched a formal consultation on the
- Northumberland County Council Co-ordinated Scheme for maintained schools, including academies 2027/28
- Northumberland County Council Admission Arrangements for Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools September 2027/28 – Admission to Middle, High and Secondary Schools (Years 5,7 and 9) and sixth forms (Year 12 entry)
- Northumberland County Council Admission Arrangements for Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools – 2027-28 – Admission to First and Primary Schools (Reception)
The above documents are attached to this email for your consideration. This consultation will run from 3th November to 15th December 2025 and any comments on these arrangements can be forwarded to schooladmissions@northumberland.gov.uk
This consultation also includes a specific proposal to change the Planned Admission Number of Swarland Primary School from September 2027, the details of which are set out in the attached arrangements for admission into First and Primary community and VC schools attached. Comments on the proposal for Swarland Primary may be forwarded to https://haveyoursay.northumberland.gov.uk/education-skills/proposed-pan-reduction-for-swarland-primary-school
Consultation on Northumberland County Council Home to School Transport Policy:
It is not a statutory requirement for Local Authorities to consult on their Home to School Transport Policy. However, in the interests of good practice we are also seeking your views on the current transport policy from all stakeholders.
The current Home to School Transport Policy for Children of Compulsory School Age is also attached to this email. If you have any feedback on our ‘School Transport Policy For Children of Compulsory School Age’, please submit them to schooladmissions@northumberland.gov.uk by 15th December 2025. For information, a survey was carried out on the Home to School Transport Application process in August 2025 in relation to applications for mainstream and pupils with SEND. As the response rate to this survey was significantly lower than the survey carried out in 2024, no major changes are proposed to the Home to School Transport Policy or application process at this time. However, there were some areas for consideration in relation to operational improvements which the Home to School Transport team will be reviewing over the coming months.
All of the above information and documentation relating to these consultations is available on the Council’s website at School admission arrangements | Northumberland County Council.
Feedback received to the above consultations:
If you have any views on the admissions arrangements for 2027/28, either in support or against the above please submit them by 15th December 2025. Your views will be considered by the Council’s Cabinet (who are the decision makers for the admission arrangements for Local Authority Maintained schools) in February 2026.
FURTHER REQUEST FOR ACTION – Please can you forward this email and its attachments to all parents in your school via your parent mail or other electronic facility to make them aware of these consultations and to enable them to respond.
