The oversubscription criteria for an academy are normally contained within its funding agreement, the contract between the Secretary of State and Academy Trust through which an academy is governed. All the funding agreements for open academies are freely available to the public online at the following web address;
http://www.dfes.gov.uk/foischeme/subPage/cfm?action=collections.displayCollection&i_collectionID=190
However, where a number of academies are sponsored by the same individual or organisation, for example ARK or ULT, there may be a master funding agreement for this group, with a series of supplemental agreements setting out the particulars for each separate academy. In such cases, admissions arrangements will be contained within supplemental agreements.
These supplemental agreements are also available at the web address provided above.
All academies are bound by the admissions code, and as such may not select on academic ability in any way, and must prioritise applications from looked after children and those with statements of special educational needs.