Admissions

Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy is sponsored by Ormiston Academies Trust (OAT) who are the admissions authority for this academy. However, admission to the academy is organised through the Local Authority. For more information on how to apply and how to get in touch with the relevant team – click here or contact the Local Authority on 0121 569 6765.

Admissions Appeals

If your child has not been offered a place at Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy (OSCA), you have the right to appeal to an independent admissions appeal panel.

Parents/carers who wish to appeal should use Sandwell Council’s school admission appeal process. Appeals can be submitted by completing the published appeal form and returning it as directed by Sandwell Council – Appeal against a school place decision | Sandwell Council. Please ensure that Ormiston Sandwell Community Academy is clearly named as the school you are appealing for.

Important: You can only appeal for a school that was a higher preference and for which your child has been refused a place. Accepting a place at another school does not remove your right to appeal.

Key dates for Year 7 September 2026 entry and appeals for in-year admissions

Appeal Timetable | Sandwell Council

What happens at the appeal?

• You will be invited to explain why you would like your child to attend OSCA.
• OSCA/the admission authority will explain why a place was refused and why admitting another child may cause prejudice to the efficient education of others or efficient use of resources.
• The independent panel will consider both cases before making its decision.
• You may attend the hearing, be represented or supported, or ask for the appeal to be considered on written evidence only.

Waiting lists

Children who have been refused a place at OSCA will be automatically placed on the waiting list unless parents/carers ask for this not to happen. Being on the waiting list does not affect the right to appeal, and lodging an appeal does not affect a child’s position on the waiting list.

If the academy is oversubscribed, i.e., we have more applications than we have spaces in our academy, we will use the oversubscription criteria listed in the admissions policy for the relevant year, to allocate places. Where we are oversubscribed, we will maintain a waiting list. Please note, your child’s position on the waiting list may move up or down. The waiting list must be ranked in line with our admissions policy criteria and therefore the waiting list is re-ranked with each new mid-year admission request. To see a copy of our admissions policies, see our policies page here.

Visit the school/tours

The school runs open events every year but also offers school tours – We are very happy to show prospective parents around our academy throughout the school year. We hold our Open Events during September and booking arrangements will be advertised on the website and via social media.

If you wish to arrange a visit please email – [email protected]