CONSULTATION OPEN — 10 April 2026 to 08 May 2026

Proposed change to our Published Admission Number (PAN)

Sparken Hill Academy, Worksop, Nottinghamshire

Sparken Hill Academy is inviting parents, carers, staff, governors and the wider community to share their views on a proposal to change the school's Published Admission Number (PAN). We want to hear from you before any decision is made.

Please note: This is a correction of an administrative error. The school was never built to accommodate 630 pupils — a formal assessment of the building confirms that teaching space exists for 575 pupils. This proposal simply brings the official figure into line with the school's actual physical capacity. No teaching spaces are being removed and no pupil currently on roll is affected in any way.

The proposal in brief

Current PAN: 630 (recorded in error on the school's Funding Agreement) Proposed PAN: 575 (reflects the school's actual building capacity) Current number on roll: 570 (already below the proposed PAN) If approved, effective from: September 2026 (Reception intake)

Your questions answered

What is a Published Admission Number?

A PAN is the maximum number of pupils a school must admit into its main entry year group — Reception at primary school. The School Admissions Code requires that the PAN accurately reflects the number of children the building can physically and safely accommodate.

Why does the current PAN need to change?

When the school's Funding Agreement was originally drawn up, a figure of 630 was recorded as the PAN. This was a mistake. The school building was designed and built for a maximum of 575 pupils, and a Net Capacity Assessment has confirmed this. It is important that our published figures are accurate and comply with the School Admissions Code.

Will this affect families trying to get a place at Sparken Hill Academy?

No.

The school currently has 570 pupils on roll, which is already below the proposed PAN of 575. There is no reduction in the number of places genuinely available to families. Admissions criteria remain completely unchanged, and pupils already attending the school are unaffected.

What happens after this consultation?

All responses will be carefully considered by the academy trust. If the trust decides to proceed, a formal application will be submitted to the Department for Education. A summary of consultation responses will be included in that application, and the DfE will make the final decision.

Read the full consultation document

The full consultation document, including background information, an impact assessment and the questions we would like you to consider, is available to download below.

How to share your views

Responses must be received by 08 May 2026 (16:00). You do not need to answer every question — any feedback you can provide is welcome.

By email: office@sparkenhill.com — please use the subject line PAN Consultation Response

By post: Mr Richard Lilley, Principal, Sparken Hill Academy, Sparken Hill, Worksop, Nottinghamshire, S80 1AW

In person: Paper response forms are available from the school office

By telephone: 010909 534060

If you have any questions about this consultation, please contact the school office on 010909 534060 or email office@sparkenhill.com