Admissions
We are always delighted to hear from prospective families who are keen to find out more about our academy and all that it has to offer. We encourage all prospective families to visit us at one of our Open Events or make an appointment to tour the academy and meet with key members of our team to discover our ambitious plans for your child’s education. Whilst Pioneer Secondary Academy is a Sikh-ethos school, we welcome students of all faiths and students of none; all applications will be treated in accordance to our admissions policy.
Admission for Year 7 September 2025
To apply for a place in Year 7 in September 2025 at Pioneer Secondary Academy you need to express a preference for Pioneer Secondary Academy on a Comman Application Form (CAF) through the coordinated admissions scheme managed by your home Local Authority. If you live in any of the boroughs below, a link is provided for you below, selecting Pioneer Secondary Academy under the school preferences section.
If you live in Buckinghamshire, you will need to apply here
If you live in Slough, you will need to apply here
If you live in Hillingdon, you will need to apply here
If you live in Hounslow, you will need to apply here
If you live in Southall, you will need to apply here
For admissions for September 2025 admissions please complete the Religious Questionnaire
The religious questionnaire must be completed in addition to the Common Application Form (CAF) by all who are applying for a place on the grounds of the Sikh faith. Completed religious questionnaires must be returned to:
Pioneer Secondary Academy,
Pioneer House,
Hollybush Hill,
Stoke Poges,
Buckinghamshire,
SL2 4QB
At Pioneer Secondary Academy, we value diversity and encourage religious leaders from all faiths in shared learning.
Whilst Pioneer Secondary Academy is a Sikh faith school, we provide an environment for those that wish to follow any faith as well as those that do not have a faith. Facilities are provided for those pupils that wish to participate in prayers linked with their faith.
Out of borough admissions
If you live outside the areas listed above, you will need to apply via your home Local Authority or Borough (where you pay your Council Tax) and apply via their Borough’s website. You will need to express a preference for Pioneer Secondary Academy on your application form.
In-year and Sixth Form admissions
Please complete the Form above, if you would like your child to be admitted in any other year group other than Year 7.
All applications will be treated in accordance with our admissions policy.
Transport via NPC Coaches information
Please access the direct link for further information on our coach service to and from school. This service is handled by a third party organisation. https://np-coaches.co.uk/pioneer-secondary-academy/
If you have any queries regarding admissions for our school, please contact us:
Tel: 01753 662 009
Email: office@psa-bucks.com
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Appeal Dates & Information 2023/2024
‘In Year’ Appeals
The timetable for ‘in year’ appeals 2023-24 is below. If you have not been offered a place following an in year application, the law entitles you to appeal to an Independent Appeal Panel. This panel is completely independent of the school and the Local Authority. Appeals for ‘in year’ admissions are held online. Please note that you can only appeal if you have been refused a place in writing after making a formal application.
Parents who are dissatisfied with the decision of the Governing Body not to admit a child may appeal. Appeals should be made within 20 days of receiving the decision and should be made in writing to: the Admissions Appeals Officer, Pioneer Secondary Academy, Hollybush Hill, Stoke Poges, Bucks SL2 4QP. You should include any evidence or supporting material with your appeal form and you MUST give the grounds for your appeal at the time you lodge your appeal form. Your appeal will not be accepted unless you state the grounds for your appeal. You may appeal for more than one school. Please do NOT use ANY other appeal form or send your form to your local authority.
Last day for lodging appeal forms | 20 school days after the decision letter informing you that you had not been offered a place. |
Invitation letter giving details about your hearing will be sent by the Clerk to the Independent Appeal Panel | At least 10 school days before the hearing. This may be by email. |
Any additional supporting evidence |
FIVE working days before your hearing. You are advised that additional paperwork received on the day of the appeal hearing will not be taken into account. Please provide the Clerk with copies of any additional evidence by POST. All such evidence to be submitted in A4 format and NOT bound, but may be stapled on the top left hand corner. |
Letter from the Clerk informing you of the decision of the independent appeal panel | Usually within 5 – 10 school days after the hearing. |
Appeal a secondary school decision for September 2024
If you have been refused a place at a higher preference secondary school, you can make an appeal to an Independent Appeal Panel. The admission authority for a school usually only refuses a place if it has received more applications than there are places available. You may want to appeal because:
- your child has a particular interest in the subjects offered by the school
- your child has medical, social or educational reasons for wanting the place
- you have recently moved house
Think carefully before appealing. Most appeals fail because secondary schools are full and cannot admit additional children without harming the education of the existing children. Appeals can be stressful for parents and are expensive for schools. The Department for Education advises parents: “You should be aware that an appeal can prolong the period of uncertainty for parents and children, so it’s important to be realistic about your reasons for appealing and the chances of being successful.”
You should ensure you submit your appeal and evidence within the timelines (please email b.riddell@sikhacademiestrust.com) and he will forward this to the Independent Admissions Appeal Clerk. After you make your appeal, the Appeal Team will send you an acknowledgement letter. It is suggested that you download the explanatory booklet about appeals which you should read before you complete the appeal form – Booklet Link.
How to appeal: Preparing your evidence
When you appeal, you’ll need to provide evidence on why you want your child to get the place. Parents need to provide exceptional medical, social or educational reasons for their preferred school, supported by evidence. Before you start your appeal, you should prepare your reasons for your appeal and any evidence you will submit for the appeal.
The Appeals Team will email you the date and time of your appeal hearing at least 10 days before the hearing. You will also be told the deadline date for submitting extra evidence. Late evidence is unlikely to be seen by the Appeal Panel. About a week before the hearing, you will be sent by post copies of the appeal papers including:
- your appeal form, and any evidence submitted by the deadline date and
- the admission authority’s written case explaining why the place was refused
At the appeal hearing, you will be invited to explain your reasons for appealing for the particular school and the admission authority will explain why it did not offer a place. The Appeal Panel will uphold or dismiss your appeal depending on whether it decides you or the admission authority have the stronger case.
A decision letter will be sent to you no later than 5 school days after the appeal decision is made. If your appeal is unsuccessful, there is no further right of appeal.
Appeal Timeframes
If you are refused a higher preference school place on 1 March 2024 for Year 7, September 2024 entry, make your appeal before midday, 28 March 2024. Appeals submitted by midday on 28 March 2024 should be heard by the end of the summer term. Appeals made after midday on 28 March 2024 will be heard from September 2024 onwards.
Date | Event |
1 March 2024 | Secondary Transfer Allocation Day |
28 March 2024, midday | Deadline for submitting completed appeal forms |
12 April 2024, 5pm | Deadline for submitting any additional documents or information in support of appeal |
10 school days before appeal hearing | Appeals Team emails appeal date and time letters to parents |
6 calendar days before appeal hearing | Appeals Team posts appeal papers to parents, admission authority, and Appeal Panel |
May to July | Secondary Admission Appeals heard |
Within 5 school days of the appeal decision | Decision letter sent to parents, admission authority and school |