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 2024

To apply for a place in Year 7 in September 2024 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 2024 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 contact us directly if you wish to seek admission within other year groups at the school and we will provide you with an application form.

All applications will be treated in accordance with our admissions policy. The background, level of ability of a child or any special needs that he or she may have, plays no part in the admissions policy of this school.

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. 

If you wish to appeal, please email b.n.riddell@googlemail.com with your details and reasons for an appeal. He will pass your correspondence to the Independent Admissions Appeal Clerk. 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.

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.n.riddell@googlemail.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.