Admissions

At the request of the Local Authority, the Published Admission Number (PAN) for Bishops Down is 60 pupils for the academic year starting in September 2012. Following protracted negotiations the Local Authority has decided not to expand Bishops Down to become a two form entry school.

You will be aware that Bishops Down is one of the most popular and over-subscribed schools in Tunbridge Wells and has been for a number of years. A significant rise in the number of reception age children since September 2010 has led the Local Authority to ask us if we would be willing and able to admit more children next September in order to meet parental preference to the maximum degree possible. This is against a backdrop of additional places being required across Tunbridge Wells to provide a place for every reception age child.

The governing body has discussed the matter at great length with the local authority and after careful consideration we are pleased to be admitting an additional 30 children in 2012-13 for whom Bishops Down is their parents’ preference.  We are of the opinion that this is an excellent opportunity for the school to grow and become an even better place of learning for our children.

This is a further one year temporary measure.  This year’s increase will present a third ‘inflated’ year group to be managed as it moves through the school with the help of good quality purpose built accommodation. We are very pleased to be in a position to minimise disappointment to parents who have sought a Bishops Down education for their child.