School Consultations
Undertaking good consultations
When changes are proposed to a school, such as closures, amalgamations, or changes to admissions, it is vital that the process is open, thoughtful, and inclusive. A well-planned consultation gives families, staff, pupils, and the wider community a meaningful opportunity to understand what is being proposed, share their views, and help shape decisions.
We know that school leaders already have more than enough to think about. These webpages are designed to help you get started quickly, so you're not left facing a blank page. Adapting something that's already there can often be a much easier place to begin.
You'll find general advice on planning and carrying out effective consultations, as well as practical templates to support you in writing consultation documents and reports. We encourage you to use and adapt the templates in whatever way works best for your setting. This is guidance based on experience and good practice, not a strict set of rules. Every school and community is different, and your approach may need to reflect that.
Please note that some changes will follow specific legal routes, so you must still check the relevant Department for Education (DfE) guidance to make sure you're following the correct process. Here are some useful links:
- School admissions code - GOV.UK
- Length of the school week - non-statutory guidance
- Making significant changes to maintained schools
- Making significant changes to an academy
- Establishing a new academy: free school presumption - GOV.UK
- Opening and closing maintained schools
- Academies: making significant changes or closure by agreement - GOV.UK
If you have any questions or would like further advice, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the team. We're here to help.
