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, the law entitles you to appeal against that decision to an Independent Appeal Panel. The panel is completely independent of the school and the Local Authority. All appeals will be heard online, which has the advantage that your appeal can be heard from your home or place of work.
If you wish to appeal for a place in Reception, year 1 or year 2, please use this link to complete your appeal online.
If you wish to appeal for a place in years 3 – 6 please use this link to complete your appeal online
Please do NOT use ANY other appeal form or send your form to your local authority. It is suggested that you download the explanatory booklet about appeals which you should read before you complete the appeal form. Those applying for a place in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 are advised to read the section in the appeal’s booklet which refer to Reception, years 1 and 2.
If you are appealing for a place in years RECEPTION, year 1 or year 2, you are advised to read the section in the booklet which refers to appeals for these years.
You should include any evidence or supporting material with your appeal form and you MUST give the grounds for your appeal at the time you lodge your appeal form. Your appeal form will not be accepted unless you state the grounds for 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 with a mobile phone and upload the photographic files.
Full details about the hearing will be sent to you with your invitation to the hearing.If you wish to contact the clerk – email: clerk@educationappeals.com
Timetable for Appeals
Last day for lodging appeal forms for a place in RECEPTION to start in September 2025
4pm on Monday 19 May 2025 to guarantee that your appeal will be heard in the first tranche of appeals. Appeals lodged later may not be heard until the second tranche which could be in September 2025. You MUST state the reasons for your appeal and supply any documentary evidence at this stage.
The stage 1 part of the hearing (with other parents present) will take place on
Tuesday 1 July 2025 or Wednesday 2 July 2025, time to be advised on letter of invitation.
Part 2, the individual private hearings will take place on
Tuesday 1 July 2025 or Wednesday 2 July 2025, time to be advised on letter of invitation.
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 stage 1 hearing.
Any additional supporting evidence
Tuesday 24 June 2025. You are advised that additional paperwork received on the day of the appeal hearing will not be taken into account. Please email any ADDITIONAL paperwork to clerk@educationappeals.com before the deadline.
Letter from the Clerk informing you of the decision of the independent appeal panel
Due to the high number of appeals held at this time, this may not be sent until up to 10 school days after the last hearing for the school.
Mid-Term Applications Appeals
Last day for lodging appeal forms following a refusal for a place an ‘in year’ or ‘mid-term’.
You must lodge the appeal form within 20 school days upon receipt of your letter of refusal. You MUST state the reasons for your appeal and supply documentary evidence at this stage. Appeals are held within 30 school days of receipt of the appeal form.