Admissions
(last updated 12 September 2024)
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Thank you for your interest in joining GWA. If you are interested in joining the Sixth Form please click here. If you are looking for staff vacancies they can be found here. If you are interested in a place in Year 7 for September 2025 please read on!
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Information for Year 6 students and their parents/carers - September 2025 entry
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Our open evening was 12 September 2024 from 5:30 - 7:30 pm.
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If you were unable to visit us we welcome you to watch the videos below. We suggest you watch them in the order listed as this would most closely reflect the experience you would have had, but the choice is yours
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The following documents may also support your decision making
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We hope you find this information useful and informative. You are always able to contact us with questions - you can forward your questions to admissions@gwacademy.co.uk
We are unable to facilitate any further tours or visits.
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Applying for a place in Year 7 - September 2025
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If your son / daughter is in Year 6 in September 2024, you will need to make an application for a place at a secondary school by 31st October 2024. This is a national deadline for places.
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To make your application you need to apply though the Council where you currently live. If you live in Swindon, this can be made by following this link
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MOVING HOUSE?
If you move house during the application process and before the offer of a place, you need to inform the Council by providing proof of address. This must be done by 10th January 2025 to ensure that the correct address is used when applying.
Failure to notify the Council could lead to your application being withdrawn if it is considered using incorrect information
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WHEN IS OFFER DAY?
You will receive notification of your offer of a school place on 3rd March 2025. This will come from the Council where you live. If you have any queries about receiving your offer, please contact the council.
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If you have been offered place, we will write to you shortly after offer day, with some initial information.
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If you have not been offered a place you will be added to the Academy's waiting list. Please contact the school for any waiting list enquiries (admissions@gwacademy.co.uk).
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Applying to transfer in-year from another secondary school
At the current time, we hold waiting lists for all years (7-11). If you would like to make an application to join the waiting list please make an in-year application through Swindon Borough Council.
Please visit their website for further information:
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Admission Appeals
If your child has been unsuccessful at gaining a place at Great Western Academy, you have the right to appeal. The appeal must be submitted in writing through Swindon Borough Council.
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Swindon Borough Council Appeal Form
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Appeals will be heard in accordance with the Department for Education (DfE) Admissions Appeal Code which can be downloaded from the DfE website.
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Year 7
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Main allocation (September 2025)
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The national offer day is 3 March 2025. If an application for a place is unsuccessful, then a parent or carer should lodge their appeal to Great Western Academy by 30 March 2025. The appeal must be in writing through Swindon Borough Council as indicated above.
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The Council will arrange with Great Western Academy when the appeals are to be heard.
Parents/Carers will be give at least 10 school days’ notes of the appeal date.
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Late applications
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If an application has been refused for the normal round of admissions after the national date, then a parent or carer wishing to appeal should do so within 20 school days from the date of the letter.
The appeal will be heard within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged.
Year 12
If an application for a place has been unsuccessful, parents or carers or the applicant should appeal to Great Western Academy within 20 school days of the date of the letter notifying that their application has been unsuccessful.
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Where the offer is conditional upon examination results the appeal will be heard within 30 school days of the confirmation of the results. This will be extended to 40 school days where the offer is not conditional upon results.
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In year applications
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If an application for a place is unsuccessful, parents or carers should make and appeal within 20 school days of the date of the letter notifying them that their application has been successful. This must be in writing.
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Great Western Academy will endeavour to arrange for the appeal to be heard within 30 school days of receipt of the lodged appeal where possible.
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Sixth Form
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ENTRY - SEPTEMBER 2024
The Sixth Form Open Evening will be on Thursday 17th October 2024 5.30 - 7.30pm (last admission 7pm)
Please view our sixth form page for more information