Admissions
First Federation Trust is the admissions authority for its member schools, responsible for the admissions policies and decisions on applications for admission.
We have an admissions policy for each academic year and they will be published on this page when they are proposed for consultation and after they have been determined annually. They are written to comply with the School Admissions Code 2021 and School Admissions Appeals Code 2022.
We currently offer education to a wide range of age groups from Pre-School (2yrs) to Year 6 (10-11yrs).
Attending Thorncombe St Mary's CE Primary Academy
We encourage both parents and pupils to visit the school to see our facilities, our staff and our pupils. Please call the school office on 014609 30515 or email thorncombeoffice@acornacademy.org to arrange a visit at a convenient time for your family. We also run an annual Open Day and these are advertised locally, but individual visits are welcomed throughout the year.
Our admissions are administered by Dorset Council. Please see the link below to Dorset School Admissions. Further admissions and general information on schools for parents and carers is available on the Dorset Council website.
Transferring to Secondary School
Most of our children transfer to The Woodroffe School, but some choose to transfer to Beaminster School, Sir John Colfox and Colyton Grammar School. We have close links with The Woodroffe School and a full transition programme exists to enable children to make the move with ease and confidence. Parents will need to complete their secondary school application here:
Dorset transferring to secondary school
In-Year Admissions
If you are planning to move your child during the year then all applications must be made in line with Dorset LA’s admission scheme. Further information and application forms are available from the Local Authority admissions team on 01305 221060 or on their website:
View Dorset Council's in year application
The admission limit for each year group is 12. Where the number of applicants exceeds places available, the allocation of those places is made according to the criteria set out in our Admissions Policy.
Admission appeals timetable
Link to Dorset County Council Admissions Appeals Timetable
School Admission Appeals will be processed in line with the requirements set out in the School Admissions Appeals Code. The timetable sets out key dates for the appeals process. Key information has also been provided that sets out how in-year appeals will be dealt with.
Admissions Policies
School admissions policy 2024-25
See our determined policy below.
2024-25 Admissions Policy
School admissions policy 2025-26
See our determined policy below.
School admissions policy 2026-27
We will consult on an admissions policy between November 2024 and 10 January 2025. If you have any comments regarding the policy we propose (see below), you can contact us at the school or schoolsadmissionpolicy-mailbox@devon.gov.uk.
We are proposing to make the following changes: introduce staff priority; change the qualification period for faith priority.
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 15 March 2025.
Objections can be made up to 15 May 2025 to the Office of the Schools' Adjudicator.