Admissions and Appeals

As a mixed foundation school for students aged 11 to 18, Fortismere is its own admission authority. This means that the governing body is responsible for setting and agreeing the school's Admissions policy (also known as the Admission Arrangements) and for making all admissions related decisions.

Consultation on Admission Arrangements FOR Sept 2026 entry - FINAL OUTCOME

In December, we issued a draft Admissions policy, in which we proposed to alter the base threshold for entry to the Sixth Form A level pathway, from 5 x GCSE Grade 5s or above, to an average point score of 5.5 across the best 8 GCSE grades. We ran a statutory consultation process and can now share the outcome.

Some responses to the consultation were very supportive, particularly citing Fortismere’s long record of high academic standards and outcomes. Some responses however, were concerned that a ‘raising of the bar’ clashes with our aspiration to be the most inclusive school possible, as some students might no longer be qualified to enter the A Level pathway. Parents of students with additional needs were particularly concerned about the proposed change.

Governors thought hard about this, working with the CoHeadteachers and school leaders in reaching a decision. As a result, governors have decided to defer any change to our current Admissions policy. We will return to this in the Autumn, when we will have the benefit of another year of student achievement to learn from, and perhaps some more clarity around Government policy concerning non-A Level pathways and qualifications. The Admissions policy for 2026 entry will remain unchanged and the determined policy is published below.

Thank you to the parents and carers that responded to the consultation and provided their feedback.

Fortismere Governors

Applications for a place at Fortismere in the normal admissions round (secondary Year 6 to Year 7 transfer)

If you want to apply for a place at Fortismere for entry to Year 7, as part of the normal admissions round (also known as Secondary Transfer), you should apply via the local authority in which your child lives. The local authority will publish information on its website explaining how to do this - make sure you read this information carefully. If your child lives in Haringey, you can make an application for a place in Year 7 and find information about all the local schools on the Haringey website School Admissions

All applications for places at Fortismere will be considered in line with our Admissions policy and places will be allocated on the basis of these arrangements only.

ADMISSIONS POLICIES

Read our Admissions policies below for full details of how places are allocated at Fortismere and how to make an application. If you have any queries about our admissions policy please email admissions@fortismere.org.uk

In-year applications for a place at Fortismere

If you are applying for a place at Fortismere at any time other than when your child is starting Year 7 as part of the secondary transfer process, for example, if you are applying for your child to move to Fortismere from their current secondary school or you are moving into the area, you will be making what is referred to as an in-year application.

In-year applications for places at Fortismere are handled on behalf of the school by Haringey Local Authority Admissions Service. Please contact Haringey Admissions Service to make an in-year application for a place at Fortismere – see this link for information on making an in-year application

You can also contact Haringey Admissions Service by email: schooladmissions@haringey.gov.uk or by telephone: 020 8489 1000

Places at Fortismere will be offered in accordance with the criteria set out in the school’s Admissions policy (see above). If there are no places available in the required year group and your application is refused, you can request that your child’s name is added to the waiting list for the school. If you make an in-year application for a place at Fortismere and your application is refused you will have the right of appeal as outlined in our Admissions policy above and on this page below.

How to Appeal for a place at fortismere

If your child has not been offered a place at Fortismere School, the law allows you to appeal against that decision to an Independent Appeal Panel. The panel that hears your appeal is completely independent of the school and the local authority. Appeals for places at Fortismere are handled on behalf of the school by Haringey Local Authority who use an independent provider for all appeals. Appeals will be heard online and in accordance with the timetable below.

If you wish to appeal for a place at Fortismere, please complete the online form via this link to lodge your appeal

Please do not use any other appeal form or send your appeal to your local authority. We suggest you read the Appeals Information Booklet available here before completing your appeal form.

You can appeal for a place at more than one school but you must submit separate appeals for each school. The Department for Education has produced advice for parents on school admission appeals - see this link for a copy

You should include any evidence or supporting information with your online appeal form and you must give the grounds (the reasons) for your appeal at the time you lodge (submit) your appeal form. Your appeal form will not be accepted unless you state the grounds for your appeal.

Any reports or letters that you wish the appeal panel to see should be uploaded with your appeal form. If you send any additional information at a later date be aware that the closing date for all information is 5 working days before the stage 1 hearing. The appeal panel will not take any late letters or reports received after the 5 working-day deadline. This will be strictly enforced.

Please note that the appeal form will ask you to download two utility bills (dated in the last three months). If you do not have access to a scanner, please take two photographs with a mobile phone and upload the photographic files. Please ensure any photographs are clear before sending them.

Your appeal will be organised by the Clerk to the independent appeal panel - they will send you full details about the hearing with your invitation. You can contact the Clerk by email at: clerk@educationappeals.com

Timetable for Secondary Transfer Appeals (entry to Year 7 in September 2025):

Last day for lodging your appeal form (to start Year 7 in Sept 2025)	Wednesday 2 April 2025 by 4pm. Appeals lodged after this date may not be heard until the second round of appeals which could be in September 2025. Remember to state the reasons for your appeal and include any supporting documentary evidence at this stage.
Invitation Letter giving you details about your appeal hearing and the school's information sent by the Clerk to the appeal panel	At least 10 school days before the Stage 1 hearing
Deadline for submitting any additional supporting evidence for your appeal	Closing date is Thursday 15 May 2025. Any additional supporting evidence must be sent to clerk@educationappeals.com
Stage 1 hearing - this is a group hearing for all parents to hear the presentation of the school's case	Thursday 22 May 2025 at 8.00 am.
Stage 2 hearing - this is when your individual private hearing with the panel will take place	Thursday 22 May 2025 - timings will depend on the number of appeals being heard
Letter from the Clerk informing you of the decision of the appeal panel	Up to 10 working days after the date of the last hearing for the school

Timetable for In-Year Appeals:

Last day for lodging your appeal form	Within 20 school days of receiving the decision that your child has not been offered a place at the school. You MUST state the reasons for your appeal and supply any documentary evidence when you lodge your appeal.
The appeal hearing	Your appeal hearing will be held within 30 school days of receipt of your appeal form by the Clerk to the appeal panel
Invitation letter giving you details about your appeal hearing and the school's information	At least 10 school days before the hearing. This letter may be sent via email by the Clerk to the appeal panel
Deadline for submitting any additional supporting evidence for your appeal	Closing date is 5 working days before your appeal hearing. Any additional supporting evidence must be sent to clerk@educationappeals.com by the deadline. You are advised that late additional evidence received on the day of the appeal hearing will not be taken into account.
Letter from the Clerk informing you of the decision of the appeal panel	Usually within 5-10 school days after the hearing.

Timetable for Sixth Form Appeals (entry in September 2025):

Last day for lodging your appeal

Thursday 28 August 2025 by 4pm to guarantee that your appeal will be heard within the first weeks of September.

You MUST state the reasons for your appeal on the online form and supply any supporting documentary evidence at this stage including a copy of your results sheet.

The timetable is very short to enable those who win appeals to start as early as possible into the school year

Click here for the 6^th form appeal form to lodge your appeal

The appeal hearing

Your hearing will take place during September 2025