Admissions
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AUTUMN OPEN EVENTS In Autumn 2023 we will be holding two Open Mornings on Tuesday 19 September and Monday 2 October and an Open Evening on Wednesday 27 September. These events are open to everyone and do not require pre-booking. Check back here closer to the time for more details. We encourage everyone to watch our Creating Futures videos. |
Please read below for information regarding the admissions process. You can also contact Allison Boucher, Head’s PA at the School by email A.Boucher@deerparkschool.net with any questions or to arrange a tour of the school. The deadline for secondary school application for current Year 6 pupils is 31 October 2023.
We appreciate that the transition from primary to secondary school can be a cause of anxiety for both parents and pupils. In June we hold Welcome Evenings (dates for 2023 to be confirmed) for parents/carers and their Year 6 (our new Year 7) sons and daughters who are joining Deer Park that September. To help the pupils’ transition, we have two Induction Days in July (Thursday 13 and Friday 14 July 2023) where pupils follow their timetables and get to know the school and their tutor group. We have small class sizes which allow staff to get to know pupils as individuals and in our pastoral teams we have full time pastoral Year Leaders who are available to support pupils whenever necessary.
'Please extend my thanks to all those staff who made the transition days so fun and reassuring for the incoming Year 6 pupils. Our son and his friends from primary school seem to have had a really great couple of days. I am in awe of your fortitude in putting those days on.' Year 7 Parent
How do I apply for a place at Cirencester Deer Park School on transition from Primary School to Secondary School?
To be considered for a place at Deer Park, you must include the school amongst the five school preferences you are entitled to make through completion of your Common Application Form – further information can be found at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/schooladmissions. Preferences should be ranked in priority order. If you are successful in gaining a place at your first preference school, none of your other choices will be considered.
How are places at Cirencester Deer Park School allocated?
Up to 209 places will be allocated at the School based on our Admissions Criteria which can be accessed on our Admissions Policy.
What if I live outside of your catchment area?
We know that there are insufficient pupils living within our catchment area to fill the secondary school places we have available. Places will be filled, up to the published admission number of 209, based on geographic proximity to the school, measured as a straight line distance from your home address to Reception at the School.
Will my son/daughter get a place?
If you submit your preference form by the deadline, live within our catchment area, and put Deer Park as your first choice, you will be allocated a place at the school.
If you live outside the catchment area, we cannot give any guarantees of a Year 7 place on Allocation Day. We were oversubscribed for Year 7 admissions in 2021 and 2022 and did hold appeals. However, by the start of September we were able to able to offer a place in Year 7 to everyone who wanted one, regardless of where they lived. Pupils often come to Deer Park from up to 15 miles away from the school.
What happens if I do not put Deer Park as my first preference?
The Local Authority will always allocate the highest ranked school that they can within your list of preferences. If Deer Park is your preferred school, it should always be listed as your first preference. If you list Deer Park lower in your preferences, and the Local Authority can allocate one of your higher preferences, you will not be offered a place at Deer Park. However, lower ranked schools are always considered as your ‘effective first preference’ if the Local Authority cannot allocate your higher preferences, so you are not prejudiced against in any way for placing a school lower down your preference form.
When will I hear if I have a place at Deer Park?
You will be advised by the Local Authority which School has been allocated for your son/daughter on National Allocation Day which is Wednesday 1 March 2023.
What happens if my son/daughter does not get offered a place at Deer Park?
If you are unsuccessful in getting a place at Deer Park on National Allocation Day, you will have the opportunity to ask for ‘reconsideration’ through the Local Authority, which may result in a place being allocated on or after 29 March 2023. However, if this is unsuccessful, you will be placed on our waiting list, which is ranked based on geographic proximity to the School. You will also have the opportunity to go through the appeals process. Further information about this would follow. You are welcome to contact Allison Boucher, Head’s PA on 01285 646558 to discuss this further.
What if I want to apply for a school place during the school year (in-year applications)?
Enquiries regarding ‘In Year Admissions’ should be made direct to Allison Boucher, Head’s PA at the School by email or by phone on 01285 646558. You can find further information on www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/schooladmissions.
When are your next Open Mornings?
In June/July we hold Open Mornings specifically for pupils in Year 5.
In September/October we hold two Open Mornings and one Open Evening which are open to all potential pupils and parents. Find out more...
In addition, Allison Boucher, Head’s PA, is happy to arrange mutually convenient tours of the school throughout the year.
If you require further information regarding the admissions process, please email us at enquiries@deerparkschool.net or contact Allison Boucher, Head’s PA at the School on 01285 646558, who will be happy to talk you through the process or arrange a tour of the school.
Useful Links:
During lockdown:
When schools were still closed to most pupils in the first 2020 lockdown, we created two short videos with the assistance of our pupils, to support new pupils' induction and aid their orientation of our school site. These provide a guided tour of the school and plenty of tips and reassurance about being a pupil, life and learning at Deer Park. Although they are definitely from a specific time in the pandemic, you may find them of interest.