Admissions
Starting School
Schools in Doncaster admit children to reception classes in September at the start of the school year if they have had their fourth birthday on or before 31 August.
Key Dates
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Children due to attend full time in a reception class can apply now
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Closing date for applications is 15th January 2023
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Late applications can still be made and will be considered after the announcement date
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National offer date is 17th April 2023 - Parents will be emailed their decision, using the email account used to apply
Once an offer is received families will be contacted by Schools directly regarding the admissions arrangements. There is no need to contact the School in advance of contact from Schools.
Deferred Entry - Summer Born Children
Parents of summer born children (born between 1 April and 31 August) are currently able to request that their child defer entry to a reception class for a full academic year. When such a request is made, the admission authority, responsible for admission to the school will make a decision on the basis of the circumstances of the case and in the best interests of the child concerned, taking into account the views of the head teacher and any supporting evidence provided by the parent.
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If the request is allowed, normal admission rules will apply and there is no guarantee that a place will be offered at the requested school(s).
Parents should initially make contact with the Local Authority, for community schools or directly to the requested school in all other cases setting out their request during the autumn term after their third birthday. This will ensure that they do not miss out on a place at the normal point of entry which should be made by the national closing date - 15 January.
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Parents should set out their reasons for their request using the Deferred Entry Request Form and send it to the relevant admission authority. Further guidance and the form can be found at the right hand side of this page.
Delayed Entry
Children reach compulsory school age on the prescribed day following their 5th birthday (or on their fifth birthday if it falls on a prescribed day). The prescribed days are 31 August, 31 December and 31 March.
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Where parents apply for admission to a reception class for a child who is not of statutory school age, and parents wish to defer entry, a child should be admitted to the class no later than the beginning of the summer term in the reception year.
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Parents can request that their child attends part-time until the child reaches compulsory school age and the request will be considered where it appears to be in the best interest of the child. The request should be made directly to the school concerned once their child has been offered a place.
Further Information
For further information please contact Doncaster Council on 01302 736000 or download the documents below
Under Consultation 18th December 23 - 29th January 24
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Changes made to the Admission agreement include
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​Removing information that parents do not need to consider making the agreement more user friendly
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Adding within the Admission criteria provision during application for twins, triplets or siblings born in the same academic year to be treated as equals
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PAN (Published Admission Numbers) numbers highlighted under appendix 1 to cover all schools within the trust.