Trust Communications

Consultation

Hall Cross Academy Consultation

The consultation ran from 20th December 2023 until midnight on 31st January 2024.

The consultation was for a proposed increase in the Published Admission Number (PAN) in Year 7 from 280 to 310.

The Schools Admissions Code 2021 sets out a requirement for all admission authorities to undertake statutory consultation where they propose a variation to the PAN of a school.

Once the admission arrangements have been determined for a particular year, the admission authority is required to seek approval, in the case of academies, from the Education and Skills Funding Agency on proposed variation /increase of the school’s PAN and must notify the appropriate bodies.

The purpose of this consultation was to seek the views of parents, carers, and other interested stakeholders on the proposal to increase the school’s PAN for September 2025. The school’s admission code can be found at: School admissions code – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Why are we looking at making the proposed changes to Hall Cross Academy?

Hall Cross Academy, which is part of Exceed Learning Partnership Trust, is consistently oversubscribed with an agreement with the local authority to admit 310 students since September 2019. As such we now propose to set PAN at this number.

The demand for pupil places is expected to continue to grow as new houses are built in the local area. The academy also receives applications from students in the surrounding areas.

The academy proposes to formally increase the official PAN for Year 7 from 280 to 310 from September 2025.

The current number on roll for each year group is as follows;

Year Group	PAN	Number On Roll
Year 7	280	310
Year 8	280	310
Year 9	280	310
Year 10	280	310
Year 11	280	310
Totals	1400	1550

As a school, we have the highest expectations for what children can achieve. We back this up with strong leadership, excellent teaching, and support for all pupils. We make sure children are getting an excellent education. We want more local children to access this education and take advantage of every opportunity.

We want to build on the excellent teaching and learning at the school to create a sustainable school for the future, generating unique opportunities for more of the local young people.

Please note that there are no proposed changes to our current Admissions Policy in any year and all other entry criteria remain unchanged.

What did Exceed Learning Partnership and Hall Cross Academy ask as part of the Consultation?

We wanted to understand what you think of the proposed changes. We wanted to hear from you, even if you do not have particularly strong views. All voices count.

The Admission Code says that we must consult with:

a) parents of children between the ages of two and eighteen;
b) other persons in the relevant area who in the opinion of the admission authority have an interest in the proposed admissions;
c) all other admission authorities within the relevant area (except that primary schools need not consult secondary schools);
d) whichever of the governing body and the local authority is not the admission authority;
e) any adjoining neighbouring local authorities where the admission authority is the local authority; and
f) in the case of schools designated with a religious character, the body or person representing the religion or religious denomination

The consultation provided an opportunity for people to tell us what they think through a range of different methods:

mail: lev@hallcrossacademy.co.uk
Post: Laura Evans, Hall Cross Academy Upper School, Thorne Road, Doncaster, DN1 2HY
Online Form

Outcome of the Consultation

Only 3 responses to the consultation were against the proposed formal increase in PAN to 310 with all other responses overwhelmingly supportive.

Detailed below are the questions that were asked and the Trust/Academy response.

Question 1

I wouldn't want this as what is stopping the council then asking you to further increase it. Surely this would mean higher numbers in classes and more strain on teaching capacity?

Trust and Academy Response

The academy is in a fortunate position, whereby it has been oversubscribed for quite some time and has been admitting 310 pupils since 2019. As a result of this the academy already has the teaching capacity in order to deliver high quality teaching and learning for the formal increase in PAN to 310 from September 2025.

Class sizes will not need to be increased as a result and the facilities are fit for purpose. We have recently had investment in our Science Labs to provide a high quality learning environment and will continue investing in the learning environment over the coming years.

The academy will always ensure an appropriate staffing structure is in place to deliver high quality teaching and learning for all pupils. Investment will always be prioritised to ensure pupils the learning experience they deserve.

The increase in PAN of 310 is sufficient to meet demand but more importantly not impact on pupils learning experience. Investment will continue to be prioritised for to ensure all pupils receive high quality teaching and learning.

Question 2
What impact would this have on class sizes and would you be employing additional teachers to accommodate the additional numbers?

Trust and Academy Response

Question 3

I can't see how taking in more kids, makes the school better? As surely that's why people pay for private school, for smaller classes?

Trust and Academy Response

Conclusion

Following the consultation the Academy will formally increase the official PAN for Year 7 from 280 to 310 from September 2025.

We would like to thank everyone who took part in the consultation and for their ongoing support.

Kind regards,

Beryce Nixon (Chief Executive Officer, Exceed Learning Partnership) &

Simon Swain (Principal of Hall Cross Academy)