Admissions & Appeals
This page contains information about admissions in September 2020 and September 2021, In Year Admissions (i.e. admissions to all year groups), and information about appeals.
Admissions to Year 7 in September 2021
The last year of primary school for your child typically speeds by, partly due to the fact that you are looking to the future as soon as Year 6 starts. The deadline for applying to Hackney secondary schools is in the October of the year before your child progresses to secondary school, so this is an important time of research and exploration.
We’re very proud of our Academy and welcome any questions you may have.
Skinners’ Academy will be holding Open Events in September and October 2020. The exact dates will be published on this page in June 2020.
Please Note:
Applications for Year 7 Admissions to Skinners’ Academy will be coordinated through your home borough’s co-ordinated admission arrangements (e.g. through Hackney Learning Trust (HLT) for Hackney residents) and we use HLT’s published timetable. Applications for places at the Academy must be made using the Common Application Form for the relevant local authority where the applicant resides.
(For your reference, the Skinners’ Academy DFE number is 204 6909)
All applicants need to take a banding test. Those living in Hackney, and attending Hackney primary schools, will take the test at their primary school. Those who live outside Hackney, or attend primary schools outside Hackney, must make sure that they take the test which is carried out in Hackney, generally in early December. Any enquiries about taking the banding test should be made direct to Hackney Learning Trust. Please see our Admissions Policy 2021-2022 here for further information on untested applicants.
More information about the co-ordinated secondary schools admissions procedure is available on the “Before you apply” section of the Hackney Learning Trust website. A copy of the Skinners’ Academy Prospectus 2019-2020 is available here, some additional information from the prospectus is available here and finally a brief Skinners’ Academy Admissions FAQ sheet here which you may find helpful. The prospectus for 2020-2021, an updated FAQ (frequently asked questions) sheet and additional information will be posted here when available.
Admissions to Year 7 in September 2020
The deadline for applying for a place in Year 7 in September 2020 has passed. If you have not applied, and wish to do so, you must contact the local authority in which you live.
In Year Admissions (i.e. admissions for all year groups) from September 2019 to July 2020
Skinners’ Academy’s Admissions Policy 2019-2020 which is available here governs our admissions. A copy of the Skinners’ Academy Prospectus 2018-2019 is available here, some additional information from the prospectus is available here and finally a brief Skinners’ Academy Admissions FAQ sheet here which you may find helpful.
General
The Academy’s oversubscription criteria (which apply if there are more applications than places) are clearly explained in our Admissions Policy 2019-2020 which is available here. The oversubscription criteria applicable to admissions to Year 7 in September 2019, are clearly explained in our Admissions Policy 2020-2021 here, and for admission to Year 7 in September 2021 in our Admissions Policy 2021-2022 here.
Appeals
If you have not been offered a place at Skinners’ Academy, the law entitles you to appeal against that decision to an Independent Appeal Panel. This panel is completely independent of the school and the Local Authority. The appeals are held in Hackney.
If you wish to appeal, please download an Appeal Form here or tel 020 8800 7411 and ask to speak to the Admissions Administrator, Mrs Howard, and a form will be sent to you.
Please do NOT use ANY other appeal form or send your form to your local authority. It is suggested that you download the explanatory leaflet about appeals which you should read before you complete the appeal form. The appeal form is in Word format. The panel would prefer the form to be typed, but handwritten forms are acceptable but only if in black ink. Please ensure that the clerk can read your details including telephone numbers and e mail addresses. ‘Signatures’ may be typed.
You should include any evidence or supporting material with your appeal form and you MUST give the grounds for your appeal at the time you lodge your appeal form. Your appeal form will not be accepted unless you state the grounds for your appeal. You may appeal for more than one school. For appeal forms for other schools please contact Hackney Learning Trust or the relevant school direct.
The timetable for Skinners’ appeals is as follows:
Last day for lodging appeal forms for a place in Year 7 to start in September 2020
4pm on Tuesday 31 March 2019 to guarantee that your appeal will be heard in the first tranche of appeals. Appeals lodged later may not be heard until the second tranche which could be in September 2020. You MUST state the reasons for your appeal and supply any documentary evidence at this stage. Appeal forms and other information may be emailed to: (preferred method) or posted to Clerk to the Independent Appeal Panel, PO Box 367, Cuffley, Herts, EN6 4XZ.
The Stage 1 part of the hearing (with other parents present)
Tuesday 9 June 2020
Stage 2, the individual private hearings
Tuesday 9 June 2020
Invitation letter giving details about your hearing will be sent by the Clerk to the Independent Appeal Panel
At least 10 school days before the hearing unless you waive this right
Any additional supporting evidence
Tuesday 2 June 2020. You are advised that additional paperwork received on the day of the appeal hearing will not be taken into account. Please provide the Clerk with FIVE copies of any additional evidence. All such evidence to be submitted in A4 format and NOT bound, but may be stapled on the top left hand corner. Paperwork submitted with your appeal form does not need to include 5 copies.
Letter from the Clerk informing you of the decision of the Independent Appeal Panel
Due to the high number of appeals held at this time, this may not be sent until up to 2 weeks after the last hearing for the school.
Last day for lodging appeal forms following a refusal for a place mid-term.
20 school days upon receipt of your letter of refusal. You MUST state the reasons for your appeal and supply documentary evidence at this stage. Appeal forms and other information may be emailed or posted to Clerk to the Independent Appeal Panel, PO Box 367, Cuffley, Herts, EN6 4XZ. Appeals are held within 30 school days of the receipt of the appeal form.
The timetable for Skinners’ appeals for mid-term applications is as follows:
More generally you may wish to refer to Admission Appeals for Academies – A Guide for parents and carers which is available here.
Admissions Policy (11-16) 2016-2017
Admissions Policy (11-16) 2017-2018
Admissions Policy (11-16) 2018-2019
Admissions Policy (11-16) 2019-2020
Admissions Policy (11-16) 2020-2021
Admissions Policy (11-16) 2021-2022