We currently operate a one point admission entry in September each year and the majority of our children initally attend the Little Bears Pre-School which is located within our school grounds. In order to ensure that the transition from Pre-School to Primary School is as easy as possible, the children enjoy a series of visits during the preceding Summer Term and spend time getting to know us – initially just visiting for a morning and then building up to joining us for lunch and remaining at school all day.
Devon County Council is the admissions authority for our school, responsible for the admissions policies and decisions when there is an application for admission. We have an admissions policy for each academic year. Policies are written to comply with the School Admissions Code 2021 and the School Admissions Appeals Code 2022. We take part in the normal round and the in-year co-ordinated admissions schemes of Devon County Council.
Come and visit us:
If you are interested in your child attending our school, you are welcome to come in and visit us. You can arrange a visit on 01409 281220 or by emailing admin@shebbear-pri.devon.sch.uk . The School Business Manager or Head Teacher will be able to discuss admission with you.
Applying to come here:
Once you decide you would like a place in the main intake into Reception (we call this the normal round) or at any other time after this, you must make a formal application. You can do this by applying to the Local Authority and not direct to the school.
For the normal round intake into school, children are offered places to start in Reception at the beginning of the September term after their fourth birthday, even if they intend to defer admission until later in the academic year.
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
Applications can be made online at www.devon.gov.uk/admissionsonline or by using the forms available at http://devon.cc/applicationforms
There is an appeals process if an application is refused; this is detailed at www.devon.gov.uk/school-appeals
For questions about your child joining the school or just about the admissions process in general, please don’t hesitate to contact the school direct or contact Devon School Admissions Service on 0345 155 1019 or by email to admissions@devon.gov.uk.
Our 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 Reception through to Year 6.
School admissions policy 2025-26:
This is our determined policy. If you have any comments regarding the policy, you can contact us at the school or schoolsadmissionpolicy-mailbox@devon.gov.uk.
You can view this policy below:
2025 Shebbear admissions policy (2)
The Admissions Appeals Timetable 2025:
The deadline for submitting appeals allows appellants at least 20 school days to prepare and submit a written appeal. The appeal must then be heard within 40 school days for the normal round and within 30 days for in-year admissions.
Allocation date for the normal round Reception: 16 April 2025
Deadline for appeal forms to be submitted: 31 May 2025
Appeals will be heard within 40 school days, by: 25 July 2025
Where possible, appeals that are submitted after 31 May will be heard by 25 July. If that is not possible, they will be heard within 30 school days of the appeal form being submitted.
Allocation date for the normal round new Year 7 (Year 6 leavers): 3 March 2025
Deadline for appeal forms to be submitted: 22 April 2025
Appeals will be heard within 40 school days, by: 24 June 2025
Where possible, appeals that are submitted after 22 April will be heard by 24 June. If that is not possible, they will be heard within 30 school days of the appeal form being submitted.
In-year appeals can be submitted after a refusal. They will be heard within 30 school days of an appeal being submitted.
School admissions policy 2026-2027
You can view this policy below:
2026 Shebbear admissions policy (1)
Admissions Appeals Timetable:
Normal round intake:
Allocation date for Reception or junior school Year 3: 16 April 2026
Deadline for appeal forms to be submitted: 31 May 2026
Appeals will be heard 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 school days of the appeal form being submitted.
