Admissions
We appreciate that the transition from primary to secondary school can be a cause of anxiety for both parents and pupils, however, we aim to help you make an informed decision about the next stage in your child's education. We encourage everyone to visit Deer Park at one of our Open Events and to watch our Creating Futures videos.
OPEN EVENTS
In September, we hold two Open Mornings and an Open Evening, open to all prospective pupils and parents.
CURRENT YEAR 5
The deadline for secondary school applications for current Year 5 pupils is 31 October 2025. In June/July we hold Open Mornings specifically for pupils in Year 5.
CURRENT YEAR 6
The application deadline for pupils currently in Year 6 is 31 October 2024 and parents will hear on 3 March 2025 whether their child has been allocated a place at Deer Park. In June we hold Welcome Evenings for parents/carers and their Year 6 sons and daughters who will join Deer Park in September. In addition, we hold two Induction Days in July (Thursday 10 and Friday 11 July 2025) where the Year 6 pupils follow their new Year 7 timetables and get to know the school and their tutor group, plus an Induction Evening for parents and pupils on the Thursday evening (read about Induction Days 2024). We have small class sizes which allow staff to get to know pupils as individuals and we have pastoral Year Leaders who are available to support pupils whenever necessary. See FAQs below.
CURRENT YEAR 7 and ABOVE
Any enquiries regarding In Year Admissions should be made direct to Allison Boucher, Co-Heads' PA by emailing enquiries@deerparkschool.net or by phone on 01285 646558. You can find further information on the Gloucestershire County Council website: www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/schooladmissions.
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We encourage parents to keep in contact with us and should you have any questions regarding admissions and the transition to Deer Park, please do not hesitate to contact Allison Boucher, Co-Heads' PA. She is able to arrange a personalised tour of the school throughout the year on request and can be contacted by phone on 01285 646558 or by emailing enquiries@deerparkschool.net. |
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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 2021-2024 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 3 March 2025.
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 28 March 2025. 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, Co-Heads' 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, Co-Heads' 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, Co-Heads' PA, is happy to arrange mutually convenient tours of the school throughout the year and can be contacted by phone on 01285 646558 or by emailing enquiries@deerparkschool.net.
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.