Admissions Arrangements

The admission arrangements detailed on this webpage apply to Stowford School.  Westcountry Schools Trust (WeST) is the Admissions Authority, responsible for the admissions policies and decisions on applications for admission. We have 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.  Further information regarding in-year admissions and rising-5 admissions can be found below. 

Arrange a Visit to the School

If you are interested in your child attending Stowford School, you are welcome to come in and visit us (we do not hold open days as we prefer to offer a more individual experience). 

When you visit, you will have the opportunity to meet the Headteacher, Mr Rob Pepper, and tour the school, with time to ask any questions and find out all about our lovely school. 

Please ring the school office on 01752 894163 in order to arrange a visit. 

You can also use the Contact Us tab for admissions enquiries. 

The Senior Administrator (Mrs Karen Kingscott), or any member of the office team, will be happy to discuss admission arrangements/questions and make a visit appointment with you.  

WeST Admissions: 

Westcountry Schools Trust - Admissions (westst.org.uk)

Email: admin@westst.org.uk

Devon contact details:

Phone: 0345 155 1019

Email: admissions@devon.gov.uk

Website information: School admissions - Education and Families (devon.gov.uk) 

The Local Authority

Devon County Council publishes information about admissions and its own policies to support the admissions application and appeals process. This is at www.devon.gov.uk/admissions where you can read about the admission process in the Step by Step and In-Year Admissions booklets.

There is a specific procedure for applications for a place to start in Foundation at the beginning of the September term after their fourth birthday. (Applications are submitted between 15th November and 15th January annually).

Applications for children to be admitted to a vacancy at any time during the school year are called 'in-year' admissions.

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Once you decide you would like a place in Foundation or at any other time after this ('in-year' admissions), you must make a formal application. This is the same for all new admissions, including children who have a sibling with us, children who have been a pupil here before and children attending Stowford Nursery. You can do this by applying to the Local Authority and not direct to the school.

Applications can be made online at www.devon.gov.uk/admissionsonline or by using the forms available at http://devon.cc/applicationforms

[Note: applications for Nursery places are made directly to Stowford School. Please see further information on our Nursery page].

Appeals

There is an appeals process if an application is refused. The appeals process is detailed at:  School admission appeals - Children, families and education

 Primary Foundation Class Appeals

Allocation date for Foundation: 16 April 2026

Deadline for appeal forms to be submitted: 31 May 2026

Appeals will be held within 40 school days, by: 24 July 2026

Where possible, appeals that are submitted after 31 May will be heard by 24 July.  If that is not possible, they will be heard within 30 days of the appeal form being submitted.

In-year admission appeals

For in-year admissions into any academic year group, DCC will aim to hear these within 30 school days of being received by the Appeals Office.

For any questions about your child joining the school or just about the admissions process in general, please don’t hesitate to contact the school direct (01752 894163) or contact Devon School Admissions Service on 0345 155 1019/email: admissions@devon.gov.uk.

Stowford School Admissions Policies

You can find our admissions policies 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.

Each academic year has its own policy document, with details about how to apply for a place in school from the start of Foundation through to Year 6.

Stowford School Admissions Policy 2025-2026

This is our determined policy relating to admission arrangements for the current academic year. 

•   2025-2026 admissions policy.pdf or download the document below

Stowford School Admissions Policy 2026-2027

This is our determined policy relating to admission arrangements for next academic year.

• 2026-2027 admissions policy.pdf or download the document below  

Stowford School Admissions Policy 2027-2028

We will consult on an admissions policy between November 2025 and 16 January 2026.  If you have any comments regarding the policy we propose, you can contact us at the school or  schoolsadmissionpolicy-mailbox@devon.gov.uk.   

•   2027-2028 admissions policy.pdf or download the document below

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