Admissions
Consultation on the proposed 2027-28 admission arrangements for Beacon Primary School
In accordance with the School Admissions Code, Forward As One CE Multi Academy Trust (the admission authority) is consulting on proposed changes to our admission arrangements for entry in September 2027. Consultation will run for a minimum of 6 weeks from Wednesday 17th December to Wednesday 28th January. This consultation period falls within the statutory window as per the Admissions Code: GOV.UK
We are consulting with parents of children aged 2–18, local schools and admission authorities, the local authority, the diocese and other interested parties in the locality as required under the Admissions Code.
What’s changed/summary of proposals:
- Forward As One Multi Academy Trust is named as admissions authority
- A full copy of the proposed admission arrangements are linked below and available on request:
/docs/Beacon_Primary_School_Admissions_Policy_27-28.pdf
- A full copy of the proposed admission arrangements are linked below and available on request:
Free paper copies are available from the school office at: Beacon Primary School, Peter Martin St, Horwich, Bolton.
How to respond:
Please respond by Wednesday 28th January 2026 (consultation closes at 5pm on that date). Responses can be submitted by:
- Email: enquiries@fa1.uk (subject: Admissions Consultation)
- Online form: https://forms.office.com/e/HiRQVKCShi
- Post: The Clerk to the Board of Trustees, Forward As One CE Multi Academy Trust, Newnham Street, Bolton, BL1 8QA (FAO Admissions Consultation)
What happens next:
All responses will be considered by the Trust Board prior to determination of the admission arrangements by 28th February 2026. Once determined, the arrangements will be published on each academy’s website by 15th March and a copy sent to the local authority. Once the final arrangements are determined, anyone with concerns has the right to refer the matter to the Office of the Schools Adjudicator.
Please let us know if you have any questions about the consultation or need the documents in an alternative format.
Transferring to Beacon Primary School from another school
If you move into the area or your child is transferring to Beacon Primary School from another school the procedure is the same as the Reception class. You must contact Pupil and Student Services of Bolton Council – 01204 332137 to inform them of your details and circumstances and they will confirm whether a place is available with us. They will request that you complete an admission form and you will be subsequently notified of the offer of a place if the year group does not exceed 30. The same admission criteria as above apply. You have the right of appeal if you are not offered a place.
Please note: If you are offered a place at Beacon Primary School we will require proof of the child’s age and residence within 10 days – e.g. birth certificate/utilities bill at the time of acceptance.
Please use the link below to access Bolton Council School Admissions Service.
In-year admissions
In-year admission is the process for applying for admission into an existing year group within a school.
Applications made after the start of the autumn term in the current academic year will be treated as an in-year application. The in – year admission process will be administered by Bolton Council. Parent(s)/carer(s) are required to complete the application form, which is available from and returnable to Bolton Council. For some children, it may not be possible to secure admission under the in – year admission process. Where this is the case, Bolton Council will apply the Fair Access Protocol to secure the most appropriate educational provision for these children.
For children who have a statement of special educational needs or education, health and care plan, the in – year admission process will not apply. Their request for admission will be dealt with by the home Local Authority’s Special Educational Needs Team.
Deferring Admission to School
The admission authority provides for the admission of all children in the September following their fourth birthday. However, where a child has been offered a place at a school the child’s parents/carers can defer the date their child is admitted to the school until later in the school year but not beyond the point at which they reach compulsory school age and not beyond the beginning of the final term of the school year for which it was made. Alternatively, where parents wish, children may attend part time until later in the school year but not beyond the point at which they reach compulsory school age.
Parents wishing to take either of the above options should inform their allocated school as soon as a place is offered so that the appropriate arrangements can be made.
Parents may seek a place for their child outside of their normal age group, for example if the child is gifted and talented or has experienced problems such as ill health. In addition, parents of children born between 1 April and 31 August (summer born children) may choose not to send that child to school until the September following their fifth birthday and may request that they are admitted out of their normal age group – to reception rather than year 1 i.e. starting reception a year later than those in their age group. These requests should be made to the school admissions team in writing giving reasons for the request. This should be done at the time the child would usually be expected to apply for a reception place.
The request will be considered in conjunction with the school and the parent, and the admission authority for the school will decide on whether the child should be offered delayed admission or not. The decision will consider the circumstances of each case and will be made in the best interests of the child concerned, and in accordance with the requirements of the School Admissions Code (2021). The decision, and the reasons for it, will be communicated to the parent in writing. Where a child is offered a place at a school but not in the year group preferred there will be no right of appeal.
Also see our School Policies page for our latest Admissions Policy