Admissions
First Federation Trust is the admissions authority for its member schools, responsible for the admissions policies and decisions on applications for admission.
We have an admissions policy for each academic year and they will be published on this page when they are proposed for consultation and after they have been determined annually. They are written to comply with the School Admissions Code 2021 and School Admissions Appeals Code 2022.
The local governing body plays an active part in the admissions process.
We have our Little Acorns @Axminster Primary on site, which provides childcare provision for children from the age of 2 years.
Come and visit us
We welcome prospective parents to come and have a look around our school and meet up with the Head of School and the staff. Appointments can be easily arranged by calling the School Office on 01297 33005 or emailing axminsteroffice@acornacademy.org
How to apply
Most children join our school at the normal round, the main intake into school from the start of September in Reception. As a parent, you can apply for a place to the Local Authority.
There are different options for parents of children starting school in Reception. This includes part-time education and deferring or delaying admission until later in the Reception year or, for children with birthdays in the summer term, to the following September. Come and talk to us if you are considering this. Do come and talk with us if you are interested in a place in a different year group for any reason.
Applications for residents of Devon are made between 15 November and 15 January for primary schools at www.devon.gov.uk/admissionsonline.
If your child lives in another LA, including Cornwall, Dorset, Plymouth, Somerset, and Torbay you should apply through that council. The closing dates are the same nationally.
For questions about your child joining the school or just about the admissions process in general, please don’t hesitate to contact the school direct or contact Devon School Admissions Service on 0345 155 1019 or by email to admissions@devon.gov.uk Devon publishes guides to the admissions process: the Step by Step Guide and the In-Year Guide at http://devon.cc/prospectus
In Year Admissions
We welcome visits from prospective parents. Please contact the school office to arrange a convenient time. If you are interested in your child joining the school in-year (once the academic year has started), you can apply for a place through Devon County Council at www.devon.gov.uk/admissionsonline.
Entry to Secondary School
Children from Axminster Primary usually transfer to the The Axe Valley Academy, as we are a feeder school, although some children transfer to Colyton Grammar School or The Woodroffe School. We have very close links with The Axe Valley Academy and a full transition programme takes place during Year 6.
Please see our Admissions Policies below for full details regarding admissions in year as well as the normal admissions times.
Contact details for individual secondary schools:
The Woodroffe SchoolColyton Grammar SchoolAxe Valley Academy
The Local Authority
We take part in the co-ordinated admissions schemes of Devon County Council. Devon County Council publishes information about admissions and their own policies to support the admissions application and appeals process. The links are at:
Devon County Council Admissions
Applications to Devon can be made online at: www.devon.gov.uk/admissionsonlineor or by using the forms available at: http://devon.cc/applicationforms
Admissions Policies
You can find our admissions policies below through the county council website. We review the school policy annually and may make changes if we feel this would be in the best interests of the school and our community. Each academic year has its own policy document, with details about how to apply for a place in school from the start of Reception through to Year 6.
Devon school admissions policies
See our determined policy below. If you have any comments regarding the policy, you can contact us at the school or schoolsadmissionpolicy-mailbox@devon.gov.uk
School admissions policy 2024-25
See our determined policy below. If you have any comments regarding the policy, you can contact us at the school or schoolsadmissionpolicy-mailbox@devon.gov.uk
School admissions policy 2025-26
See our determined policy below. If you have any comments regarding the policy, you can contact us at the school or schoolsadmissionpolicy-mailbox@devon.gov.uk
Admission Appeals
Link to Devon County Council Admissions Appeals Timetable
The Admissions Appeals Timetable 2024
Appeals at the normal round of admissions will be heard within 40 school days of the deadline for lodging appeals on 31 May 2024. Where the application was not made in time for a decision to be made on 16 April 2024, they will be heard within that 40-day period or, if that is not possible, within 30 days of the appeal being lodged. In-year admission appeals must be heard within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged.