Admissions Consultation
The consultation period is now closed. Our response to the consultation has been presented to the Full Governing Board on 11th February 2026. The Governors, on reviewing the consultation, approved and confirmed the adoption of the admissions arrangements that had been submitted for consultation without further amendment. Please read below for details and response to the consultation process
Documents for Consultation
The following documents were available throughout the consultation period:
- Admissions Arrangements 2027–2028 for Consultation
(Full policy proposed for implementation from September 2027) - Admissions Consultation Rationale Document
(Explanation of the changes and supporting information) - Admissions Arrangements for 2026-2027
- Supplementary Information Form
- School Admissions Code 2021
Consultation Summary
This report summarises the responses received during the statutory consultation on The Royal School Wolverhampton’s proposed admission arrangements for the 2027/28 academic year. It was presented to the Governing Board to confirm that consultation has been conducted lawfully and appropriately, to review the range of views expressed, and to determine the final admission arrangements in accordance with the School Admissions Code. Governors discussed the consultation feedback and process on Wednesday 11th February 2026 and approved and confirmed the adoption of the admissions arrangements that had been submitted for consultation without further amendment.
Consultation Period and Compliance
The consultation was conducted from Monday 1 December 2025 to Friday 23 January 2026. This exceeded the statutory minimum of six weeks and took place within the permitted consultation window set out in paragraphs 1.45–1.48 of the School Admissions Code. Governors received the full feedback from the Consultation and considered this at a Full Board meeting on 11.02.2026. The feedback for the consultation was then published here alongside the updated admissions arrangements on 25.02.2026.
Groups Consulted
The School undertook active consultation with the following groups:
- Current parents and carers of pupils at The Royal School Wolverhampton
- Wolverhampton Local Authority
- Other admission authorities within the relevant area
- Neighbouring Local Authorities
- The Governing Board
- School staff
- Primary schools and Early Years providers (asked to share consultation details with their communities)
- Community and voluntary organisations, including counselling services and interfaith groups
- Members of the wider public via the school website
Methods of Consultation
Consultation was conducted through publication of documents on the school website, an online Microsoft Form, and opportunities to respond by email, post or directly via the school. Responses were received from a broad range of stakeholder groups. Overall feedback demonstrated a high level of engagement with the consultation documents and broad understanding of the rationale for the proposed changes.
1. Correction to the stated number of external Year 7 day places
The current arrangements were written when the Primary School had 75 pupils in Year 6. With 90 pupils now in Year 6, the legacy requirement to offer 33 external day places could require the school to admit up to 127 pupils into Year 7, which exceeds the Published Admission Number (PAN).
The proposed correction adjusts the stated number of external day places to 18. The school's PAN will not change in any year group through this action.
As outlined in the Rationale Document, this does not significantly reduce opportunities for external applicants as places not taken by internal pupils will continue to be offered to external families.
Consultation Response
Support was expressed for correcting the stated number of external Year 7 day places to ensure the School is not required to exceed its PAN and to protect class sizes and educational quality.
Some respondents sought reassurance that external applicants would continue to have access to places where internal pupils do not remain. The Rationale Document clarified this position and this is expressly assured within the admissions arrangements already.
2. Reordering of oversubscription criteria
The school proposes placing children of staff in demonstrable skill-shortage posts, and siblings, above the distance-based 'inner/outer' zones split. This reflects the intended operation of the arrangements and prevents disproportionate outcomes. Full detail is included in Section 4 of the Admissions Arrangements.
The current arrangement places children of staff in demonstrable skill-shortage posts and siblings after a 50% split of places to the inner zone (within 2 or 3 miles of the school). This might mean that some children of staff in demonstrable skill-shortage posts or siblings would not get a place in favour of another child who lives in a different zone. This is contrary to the intention of the admissions arrangements and contrary to national and local norms.
Consultation Response
Many respondents supported the prioritisation of siblings and children of staff in demonstrable skill-shortage posts. Some respondents requested clarity on how skill-shortage roles are defined, which has been addressed in the Admissions Arrangements.
3. Sixth Form entry requirements
The Sixth Form requirements remain unchanged:
Six GCSEs at grade 5 or above, including English and Maths.
These appear in the consultation documentation to ensure clarity and allow comment. Whilst the school has no intention to change the entry requirements, we invite feedback from our community to ensure that this continues to be an appropriate entry requirement for our curriculum, intake and cohort.
Consultation Response
No substantive objections or comments were raised. Respondents understood that Sixth Form requirements remain unchanged and are included for transparency.
4. Corrections (non-material changes)
A number of clerical, technical and clarity-related updates have been included to ensure accuracy and compliance with the School Admissions Code. These do not affect how places are allocated. A full list is provided in Section B of the Rationale Document.
Consultation Response
No objections were raised to clerical, technical, or compliance-related amendments.
Feedback on the Consultation Process
Respondents generally indicated that the consultation was accessible, clear, and appropriately conducted. There were no objections received to the approach or process of consultation.