Consultation on reduction in PAN
The Consultation
The Trust Board of Brunel Academies Trust is consulting all relevant persons and bodies in our local area, on the proposed Admission Arrangements for St Mark’s C of E Junior School for 2027/2028 as determined by the School Admissions Code 2021 and The School Admissions (Admission Arrangements and Co-ordination of Admission Arrangements) (England) Regulations 2012. Brunel Academies Trust is seeking to reduce the Published Admission Number (PAN) from September 2027.
Overview
- The proposal is to reduce the PAN from 90 to 60 with effect from September 2027.
- As a result, the number of places available for children in Year 3 in 2027, and all subsequent Year 3 cohorts, will be 60.
- Nationally pupil numbers are falling, and this pattern is reflected in schools in Salisbury, including St Mark’ C of E Junior School.
- Factors that have been considered by the Trust Board in deciding to consult on this proposal include:
- the previously agreed reduction in PAN to 60 at Wyndham Park Infants’ School which took effect from September 2025.
- the continued ability of the school to provide sufficient spaces for local children.
- the provision of the most appropriate learning environment for all pupils, thus facilitating continuing school improvement.
- future resource planning and management.
- ensuring that the capacity of the school resources management will be more effective.
- No pupil that currently has a place in school will be affected by the change.
- This is the only proposed change to the admissions criteria. All other criteria will remain the same.
Consultation must last for a minimum of 6 weeks. Our consultation process is open from 24th November 2025 to 12th January 2026.
If you wish to register a response to our proposed reduction in PAN, please submit this via email to pdavis@brunel.org.uk or in writing to the address below. All responses need to be received by 12th January 2026. Any submitted after this date will not be considered.
All responses will be considered by the Trust’s Board, and they will formally determine what the school’s admission arrangements will be. They will inform the Local Authority and other relevant parties by 15th March 2026.
Kind regards,
Helen Fielder
Head of School
St Mark’s C of E Junior School
and
Paul Davis
Strategy & Data Lead
Brunel Academies Trust