Admissions
For Year 7s starting in September 2024
Orchards Academy admits 120 students in Year 7. All Year 7 admissions are processed by the Local Education Authority and, in the event of oversubscription, we adhere strictly to our Admissions Policy as follows:
- Looked After Children and previously Looked After children
- Students whose siblings currently attend the school and who will continue to do so at the time of entry
- Health and Special Access Reasons - such claims will need to be supported by medical evidence
- Remaining applications - priority will be determined by the straight line distance from home to school, those living closest being given highest priority.
Application forms can be obtained from your child’s Primary School or using the link below.
Make an Application through Kent County Council
Timetable for Appeals
If your child is due to start secondary school in September 2024
You can appeal if you are refused a place at one of your preferred schools on National Offer Day (Friday 1st March 2024).
Your appeal will be heard at what is called a Hearing, within a timescale of 40 school days from 28th March 2024. It is likely to be heard at the end of April.
All other appeals known as ‘in-year’ admissions and those for Year 7 submitted after Thursday 28th March 2024 will be heard within 30 school working days of submitting the request.
Your appeal request should state your reasons for your request and any additional information/documentation/appendices should be submitted five days before the Hearing to allow time for it to be copied and distributed to all the interested parties. At least 10 working days before your appeal, unless you choose to waive this right, you will be sent detailed information regarding the process and also the date and names of the independent panel members who will hear the appeal.
The school is unable to guarantee that any original work/evidence/folders, submitted as part of the appeal, will be returned. Appellants may wish to submit copies in advance and then take important original documents verifying evidence to the appeal.
If you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact the school office.
Make an Appeal through Kent County Council
For General In-Year Admissions and Transfers
If you would like your child to join Orchards Academy outside the normal point of entry for the school in Year 7, you should complete the In Year Admission Form below and return to us. This can be done via email to enquiries@orchards-tkat.org or, if you would prefer a paper copy of the In Year Admission Form, please contact the school office on 01322 665231.
Application outcomes will be confirmed in writing no later than 15 school days from receipt of the application. Pease note that applications received during the school holidays will be processed as soon as the school re-opens.
If the number of applications for the school, for any year group, is more than the number of places available, the oversubscription criteria (as per our Admissions Policy) will be applied. The same oversubscription criteria will apply if the school is in a position to offer a place from the Waiting List.
In the event that your application is unsuccessful and you would like to pursue an appeal, please refer to the Orchards Academy Appeals Process below.
Orchards Academy Appeals Process
Any child not offered a place has the statutory right of appeal to an Independent Appeal Panel. The Independent Appeal Panel will be determined by the Governing Body on an annual basis and will, usually, consist of two lay members and one person from the community, independent of the School. The decision of the Independent Appeal Panel will be binding on the Governors and the parents. Full details of the Appeals process are available from the Clerk to the Independent Appeal Panel.
Parents wishing to make an appeal should contact the school to request an Appeal form, or use the link below for a copy of the form.
Please note that this form should not be used for Year 6 students who have not been offered a place at this school on National Offer Day (Friday 1st March 2024) - you should use the Kent link above in the first instance before Thursday 28 March 2024.
In-Year casual admissions and those for Year 7 submitted after Thursday 28th March 2024 will be heard within 30 school working days of submitting the request.
If you would like to arrange a tour of the school, or have any queries regarding the admissions process, please contact the school office:
Telephone: 01322 665231
Email: enquiries@orchards-tkat.org