The school governing board 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 coordinated 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 02171 860545 or by emailing admin@instowcps.co.uk. Our headteacher, Mrs Lucy Mardling or a member of our office team 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 directly to the school. Applications for Preschool places are made direct to the school. Please see further information on our Preschool page.

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.

There is an appeals process if an application is refused.

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 2024-25

This is our determined policy.  If you have any comments regarding the policy (shown below), you can contact us at the school.

School admissions policy 2025-26

This is our determined policy. If you have any comments regarding the policy (shown below), you can contact us at the school.

School Admissions Policy 2026/2024

We will consult on an admissions policy between November 2024 and 10th January 2025. If you have any comments regarding the policy we propose, you can contact us at the school or schoolsadmissionpolicy-mailbox@devon.gov.uk

From November you can view this policy below or at http//devon.cc/schoolpolicy

After the consultation, we will determine the policy at a meeting of the admissions authority held before the end of February 2025. Once determined, the policy will be updated online by 15th March 2025. Objections can be made up to 15th May 2025 to the Office of the Schools' Adjudicator.

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: 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.

The Admissions Appeals Timetable 2026 

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. 

In-year appeals can be submitted after a refusal. They will be heard within 30 school days of an appeal being submitted.