Proposed changes for September 27-28 admissions to Hillocks Primary Academy

Diverse Academies Trust (a Multi Academy Trust) operates as the admission authority for the academies within the Trust. The Board of Trustees for Diverse Academies Trust has retained the vast majority of admissions procedures outlined by the Schools Admission Code 2021. As the admission authority, it must conduct its own consultation process on any proposed changes.

Details of the proposed changes can be found below.

Key dates

Board meeting to approve reduction 8th October 2025

Consultation opens – 13th October 2025

Consultation closes – 24th November 2025

Trustees consider any representations made and make final decision – 4th February 2026

Deadline for admission arrangements to be determined – 28th February 2026

Deadline for admission authorities to send a copy of their full determined admission arrangements to their local authority and publish those arrangements on the schools website  – 15th March 2026

Changes being consulted upon for the 2027-28 academic year

Hillocks Primary Academy is proposing to change its reception PAN from 45 to 30.

Hillocks Primary Academy has, for many years, had variability in class sizes and year group sizes. Over the last few years admissions have fluctuated between 30 and 35 children in the reception class, dropping to 26 in 2024/25. Projected figures continue to indicate that there is a surplus of school places across the planning area for the next 5 years. Reducing the PAN will assist the academy and the Trust to provide stability in its long-term planning and allow the academy to continue to secure high quality educational outcomes for the children currently on roll, while continuing to provide an appropriate number of places for future children in line with demand. The Trust and the academy will continue to look at local demand and if it feels that there is a lack of school places in the future then they would consider increasing the PAN should the need arise.

Proposed local academy appendix for Hillocks Primary Academy

You can find a full copy of the academy’s appendix below. If you require a paper copy of this Policy, please email: admissionsconsultation@diverse-ac.org.uk

Hillocks Academy appendix 2027 28

Comments and representations on the proposal

Please note that that for this consultation process it is only the Hillocks Primary Academy appendix where comments are sought. However, both the Trust and the individual academy would welcome views on all areas within the admissions policy for future consideration.

Please indicate clearly in the comments, your role within the community from the list below:

  • Acting on behalf of a Local Authority (Please indicate which Local Authority)
  • Acting on behalf of an Admissions Authority (Please indicate which Admissions Authority)
  • Teacher / Governor of a local school
  • Parent at one of the academies within the Trust
  • Parent at Hillocks Primary Academy
  • Parent from a school/academy that is not within Diverse Academies Trust

You can share your comments on the proposal using one of the options below:

Online form: Click here to be taken to our online form

Email: admissionsconsultation@diverse-ac.org.uk

In writing to: Head of Governor Services, Old Hall Drive, Retford, Nottinghamshire, DN22 7EA

Anonymous comments and representations will not be accepted.

What happens after the consultation closes?

All responses received will be considered. Trustees make a decision on behalf of Diverse Academies Trust taking into account a range of information, including the consultation responses. They will do this based on representations that are most suitable according to the local circumstances and in line with the timescales above.