TCAT School Admissions
The Cornerstone Academy Trust is the admissions authority, responsible for the admissions policies and decisions on applications for admission to the seven schools within the trust. Each school has an admissions policy for each academic year. They are written to comply with the School Admissions Code and School Admissions Appeals Code. We take part in the co-ordinated admissions schemes of Devon County Council.
The Application Process
Once you decide you would like a place in one of our Reception classes, or at any other time after this, you must make a formal application. You can do this by applying to the Local Authority and not direct to the school. A fresh application must be made for children who are attending Nursery. Applications for nursery places are made direct to the school.
For further information please refer to our Nursery pages, which are accessible via each individual school site.
For the normal round intake into school, children are offered places to start in Reception at the beginning of the September term after their fourth birthday. Children who are admitted to a vacancy at any time after this point are called ‘In-Year’ Admissions.
The Local Authority
Devon County Council publishes information about admissions and its own policies to support the admissions application and appeals process. View this here.
Applications can be made online through the Devon County Council website or by using these forms.
The appeals process is detailed here.
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 via email.
Our Admissions Policies
You can find our admissions policies for each school by selecting the school of interest below. 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.
The Admissions Appeals Timetable 2025
The deadline for submitting appeals allows appellants at least 20 school days to prepare and submit a written appeal. The appeal must then be heard within 40 school days for the normal round and within 30 days for in-year admissions.
Allocation date for the normal round Reception: 16 April 2024
Deadline for appeal forms to be submitted: 31 May 2024
Appeals will be heard within 40 school days, by: 26 July 2024
Where possible, appeals that are submitted after 31 May will be heard by 26 July. If that is not possible, they will be heard within 30 school days of the appeal form being submitted.
Allocation date for the normal round new Year 7: 1 March 2024
Deadline for appeal forms to be submitted: 22 April 2024
Appeals will be heard within 40 school days, by: 26 June 2024
Where possible, appeals that are submitted after 22 April will be heard by 26 June. If that is not possible, they will be heard within 30 school days of the appeal form being submitted.
In-year appeals can be submitted after a refusal. They will be heard within 30 school days of an appeal being submitted.
The Admissions Appeals Timetable 2026
The deadline for submitting appeals allows appellants at least 20 school days to prepare and submit a written appeal. The appeal must then be heard within 40 school days for the normal round and within 30 days for in-year admissions.
Allocation date for the normal round Reception: 16 April 2025
Deadline for appeal forms to be submitted: 31 May 2025
Appeals will be heard within 40 school days, by: 25 July 2025
Where possible, appeals that are submitted after 31 May will be heard by 25 July. If that is not possible, they will be heard within 30 school days of the appeal form being submitted.
In-year appeals can be submitted after a refusal. They will be heard within 30 school days of an appeal being submitted.
