Planned Admission Number Consultation Window for 2027-2028 is now open

The purpose of this communication is to outline the local authority's approach to the planned admission number (PAN) consultation window for the 2027-2028 admission as it relates to the Education Policy and Strategic Programme. This process forms an integral part of the authority's commitment to transparency, inclusivity, and strategic planning in the delivery of education across our communities.

Introduction - Planned Admission Numbers 

In line with the Admissions Code, all school Admission Authorities must review their planned admission numbers annually. If a reduction in PAN is suggested, authorities would be required to undertake a mandatory consultation. 

The County Council, as the Admissions Authority, is responsible for setting and determining the annual Planned Admission Numbers (PAN) for Community and Voluntary Controlled schools. Where a change is being suggested this must be undertaken in consultation with the governing bodies and wider stakeholders, including parents. 

Voluntary Aided Schools, Foundation schools and Academies are their own Admission Authorities and are responsible for consulting and determining their own PANs. Where a change is suggested this must be done in consultation with the County Council and other stakeholders, including parents. 

As the co-ordinating authority for admissions, Norfolk County Council will work with all groups to ensure alignment with local planning across Norfolk. We will display any suggested PAN changes for Academies, Voluntary Aided Schools and Foundation Schools in My School > Planned Admission Numbers - Consultation, as may be required. 

Although consultation is not required to increase or to keep the same admission number, admission authorities must notify the local authority of their intention to increase the admission number and reference to the change should be made on the school's website. 

For more about the Local Authority approach, see Local Authority approach to Planned Admission Numbers (PAN) determination and consultation

PAN Consultation for 2027-2028

Admissions Code: Section 1.47 identifies those who need to be consulted. The consultation must last for a minimum of six weeks and be completed by 31 January 2026. The normal period for consultation is 1 October 2025 to 31 January 2026. Arrangements must be determined by 28 February 2026. 

Final date for any consultation to take place is 15 December 2026. We are contacting schools electronically through the Norfolk My School website, which shows the current Planned Admission Number for the 2027-2028 academic year.

Schools will need to respond to this survey to agree the current determined PAN or disagree to consult if a revised position is being planned for. 

Feedback of your consultation status or result is required by 16 January 2026.

Schools 

Please use the feedback form on the My School website to let us have your agreement or disagreement to the suggested PAN and any comments.

The governing board should include in a minuted meeting their full discussion relating to the PAN determination. 

The consultation page for your school can be accessed via the password protected My School section of the Schools and Learning Providers website. Once logged in, click on the 'Planned Admission Numbers - Consultation: Consultation on the 2027/28 academic year' link on the main dashboard (also available in the 'Buildings' section listed on the left-hand side of the page).

There is also a link on this consultation page to download a list of suggested PAN's for all schools. 

Also available on this My School page are the most recent pupil forecasts for your school which we strongly recommend reviewing before you respond and use to consider future options. 

In the case of Community and VC schools, if we do not hear from you by 16 January 2026, the existing PAN will be assumed and will be the determined position for the 2027-28 academic year. 

For all other stakeholders

Responses can be provided via the Norfolk School Finder website which contains the current PAN and a link to the response portal. By searching for the school and following the link in the Pupil Numbers section next to the proposal for 2027-2028, an agreement or otherwise and a comment can be made which will be collated and considered as part of the consultation process. The link to this website can be shared with parents or other stakeholders as required. 

Norfolk County Council contact 

Please use the feedback form on My School as mentioned to ensure the reply is registered in the database. If you need to discuss the PAN in more detail you can contact the Place Planning Team directly by emailing [email protected] and they will be in touch as soon as possible.