admissions
Marden Primary Academy is a rural primary school for boys and girls of all abilities aged 4-11 years old. We are a one and a half form entry school with a published admission number (PAN) of 45 children per year group.
Admission to Marden Primary Academy is determined in the first instance by parental preference, provided there are spaces available. If the Academy is oversubscribed, priority for admission will be given to those children who meet the criteria set out below, in priority order:
- Children in Local Authority care or previously in Local Authority care
- Current family association (sibling)
- Health, social and special access reasons
- nearness of children’s homes to school
The admissions arrangements for children with Education, Health and Care Plans are the responsibility of Kent County Council. For advice on the arrangements to admit your child into school, you should contact your local SEN Officer through your local Additional Educational Needs and Resources office as the process will be different. The West Kent SEN Team can be contacted by telephone on 03000 420997 or via email at SENwest@kent.gov.uk
Admissions Arrangements
How to apply for your child to start at Primary school in Reception
Kent County Council manages all primary admissions for Reception year. You will need to make a Reception Common Application (RCAF) either using the online process available at www.kent.gov.uk/ola or by contacting kentonlineadmissions@kent.gov.uk for an alternative method. Parents are encouraged to name up to three schools; putting them in order of preference with the one you would like most as first.
For children starting school in September 2024 applications for Reception year open on Friday 3rd November 2023 and close on Monday 15th January 2024. If you intend to express Marden Primary Academy as your first preference, our DfE number for your application is 886/2183.
When applying online for school places, you will have to register with the website and create a user account, selecting your own password. The website will ask you to verify your account by clicking on the link provided in the email sent to the email address used to set up the account. This email is not an application. Once registered, you can then make an application for school places either straight away or by logging back in at a later time, provided it is before the closing date. If you need assistance with your application, please contact Miss Vikki Holness, our Office Manager, on 01622 831393 or email office@mardenprimaryacademy.org.uk
In Year Admissions
Kent County Council does not coordinate In Year Admissions as there is no requirement for them to do so (2.23 School Admissions Code – Dec 2014). Parents should contact the school who will arrange for parents to speak to a member of SLT. A visit to the academy will then be arranged. If a place is available, an in year admissions form will then be shared for parents to complete. If a place is not available, parents will be offered the opportunity to put their child’s name on a waiting list.
For further information on In Year Admissions, please contact Miss Vikki Holness on 01622 831393 or email office@mardenprimaryacademy.org.uk.
Appeals
If you have not been offered a place following an in-year application, the law entitles you to appeal to an Independent Appeal Panel. This panel is completely independent of the school and the Local Authority. In accordance with the 2022 School Admission Appeals Code Appeals, the admission authority and appeal panels have elected for all admissions appeals to be held online.
If you wish to appeal, please use the links below to complete your appeal online.
Please do NOT use ANY other appeal form or send your form to your local authority. It is highly recommended that you download the explanatory booklet about appeals which you should read before you complete the appeal form.
If your appeal is for years Reception, year 1 or year 2, you are strongly advised to read the section on Key Stage 1 appeals on page 18.
You should include any evidence or supporting material with your appeal form and you MUST state the grounds of your appeal at the time you lodge your appeal form. Your appeal form will not be accepted unless you give the grounds of your appeal. You may appeal for more than one school.
Please note that the online form will ask you to download two utility bills dated in the last THREE months. If you do not have access to a scanner, please take two photographs using a mobile phone and upload the photographic files.
If you wish to contact the clerk – email: clerk@educationappeals.com
Information about Primary Transfer appeals will be posted on this website before 28 February 2025.
Timetable for Appeals
Last day for lodging appeal forms
20 School days after the decision letter informing you that you had not been offered a place.
Invitation letter giving details about your hearing will be sent by the Clerk to the Independent Appeal Panel
At least 10 school days before the hearing. This MAY be emailed.
All in year appeal will be heard within 30 school days of the appeal form being lodged.
Closing date for any additional supporting evidence
FIVE working days before your hearing. You are advised that additional paperwork received on the day of the appeal hearing will not be taken into account. Please email to clerk@educationappeals.com
Please note that slightly different rules will apply for any primary transfer appeals into Reception.
Letter from the Clerk informing you of the decision of the independent appeal panel
Due to the high number of appeals, an email is sent a few working days after your hearing with the decision of the panel. This is followed up around 10 working days later with a letter outlining the panels reasons.