Admissions

As the Admission Authority, the academy trust is responsible for determining the admission arrangements for the academy for each academic year in line with the Schools Admissions Code published by the Department for Education.

In addition the academy trust is responsible for ensuring that parents and children have the right of appeal to an independent appeal panel if they are dissatisfied with an admission decision of the academy trust. The independent appeal panel will be independent of the academy trust and the arrangements for convening such a panel shall be in accordance with the School Admission Appeals Code published by the Department for Education.

Dixons Middleton Academy participates in the co-ordinated admission arrangements operated by the local authority Rochdale Borough Council and the local Fair Access Protocol.

Applications should be made via the Rochdale local authority's In Year Common Preference Form which is available on the local authority website.

Published Admission Number (PAN)

Dixons Middleton Academy has a Published Admission Number (PAN) of 270 students in Year 7 for September entry each year. The academy will admit up to 270 students where sufficient applications are received.

Applying for a Year 7 Place

Applications for Year 7 entry must be made through the applicant's home local authority using the Common Application Form (CAF) in accordance with the coordinated admissions process.

In-Year Admissions

Applications for places during the school year (in-year admissions) should be made through the Rochdale Council Admissions Portal. The local authority will process the application and advise families whether a place can be offered. If a year group is oversubscribed, places will be allocated in accordance with the academy's oversubscription criteria.

For information about applying online, families should visit:

www.rochdale.gov.uk/schooladmissions

Oversubscription Criteria Summary

Where applications exceed the number of places available, priority will be given in the following order:

1. Looked-after and previously looked-after children.
2. Children with exceptional social or medical needs where Dixons Middleton Academy is the only suitable school.
3. Children with a sibling attending the academy at the time of admission.
4. Children eligible for the Service Pupil Premium.
5. Children living closest to the academy, measured in a straight line from the home address to the school. 

Waiting Lists

Where no place is available, applicants will be placed on a waiting list and ranked according to the academy's oversubscription criteria rather than the date of application. 

Appeals

Parents and carers whose application is unsuccessful have the right to appeal against the decision through the admissions appeals process. Information regarding appeals can be found on the academy website.