FAQs

• You need to apply for a place via the Borough in which your child lives. However, on your application simply add Skinners’ Academy to your list of preferred schools to apply. You must submit a valid application to the Borough by Friday 31 October 2025.  

The application form may ask for the code for the schools on your form; Skinners' Academy's code is 2046909. 

• If you have any application queries you should refer to your home borough's website, and if that doesn't help, contact the Admissions Department at your home borough as soon as possible.  

• What is it?

The Banding Test used by Skinners’ Academy, and by many of the Hackney secondary schools, is an online CAT (Cognitive Abilities Test). It tests reasoning ability. Your child cannot practise for it and they cannot fail it.

• Where does it take place?

If your child attends a Hackney primary school, they will take the test in class between mid-September and mid-October 2025. If your child attends a non-Hackney primary school, they will take the CAT on a Saturday in November or early December 2025 at one of various secondary schools in Hackney used as testing venues. Once you apply you won’t need to do anything, you will be notified of date and location of the test via letter from Hackney Education in early to mid-November 2025. 

• How are the results used?

All the pupils who have applied to Skinners’ Academy are placed in 5 equal bands according to their CAT results. An equal number of places will be offered to pupils from each band. Certain categories of pupil in each band will be given priority e.g. siblings, once places have been allocated to those pupils, the rest of the places within each band are offered to those pupils who live closest to the Academy. 

Note: To gain a full understanding of how it works, please refer to the admissions policy which is viewable on our website. A printed copy can be provided upon request. 

•  While we cannot guarantee that your child will receive a place at Skinners’, we have previously accepted applications from far afield and would also welcome your application. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions regarding distance from the school. 

• To find your nearest schools visit eAdmissions, then in the box on the left select a local authority, type in your postcode, select only secondary schools and a map showing your nearest schools will appear. You can then click on the school icons for further information. Information can also be viewed at www.compare-school-performance.service.gov.uk. Hackney Education, on our behalf, use the property geographical references of applicant and school addresses for the purpose of calculating distances for admission. 

If you have any questions, please email our Admissions Officer, Mrs Howard, or phone 0208 800 7411 ext 107. Any queries should be made by Friday 17th October 2025.