Admissions criteria

Selection criteria

If the number of applications is less than the number of spaces then all children will be offered places. 


Over-subscription criteria 

If the academy receives more applications than there are available places then children with the academy named on an education, health care plan (EHC) or equivalent will be automatically admitted to the academy. If there are still places available, priority for admission will be given to those children who meet the over subscription criteria.

For the over subscription criteria please see the relevant policy – links below:

Admissions Policy for 2023 – 24

Admissions Policy for 2024 – 25

Admissions Policy for 2025 – 26


2023 / 2024 Statement: Admissions committee for out of age group admissions:

  1. Admission of children outside their normal age group.
  2. Parents may request that their child is admitted outside their normal age group. To do so, parents should include a request with their application, specifying why admission outside the normal age group is being requested and which year group they wish their child to be admitted. Decisions will be made based on the circumstances of the case and in the best interests of the child. Applications must be made by 31st October 2023 to the clerk to the Local Governing Board of governors, Cowes Enterprise College: [email protected]

In-year admissions 

Applications for in-year admissions are considered in the same way as those made at the beginning of the academic year and are dealt with in accordance the local authorities Fair Access Protocol. In-year admissions forms can be obtained from the local authority at www.iow.gov.uk admissions. 

Students included in the fair access protocol will take precedence over those held on the waiting list. Once a student has been identified for admission to the academy under the fair access protocol, the academy will notify the local authority within seven calendar days of the decision to accept or refuse the student’s admission. It the academy refuses entry, the local authority may request a direction from the Education Funding Agency (on behalf of the Secretary of State). 

The academy will set out its reasons for refusal in writing to the local authority within 15 calendar days (for CLA this is reduced to seven calendar days) and may make further representations directly to the EFA (these will be made within seven calendar days). The decision of the Secretary of State will be binding upon the academy.


Unsuccessful applications 

The academy will inform the child’s parent if a decision has been made to refuse their child a place at the academy for which they have applied, this will include the reason why admission was refused, information about the right to appeal, deadlines and contact details. A child is allowed to be on the academy waiting list while lodging an appeal and the appeal will not affect their position on the list. 

The decision of the appeals panel is binding on the academy.