Admissions

Admissions Policies

Please click the links below to view our full admissions policies:

Farndon Fields Admissions Policy 2023-2024

Farndon Fields Admissions Policy 2024-2025

Discovery Trust Admissions Policy 2025-2026

Catchment Area

To view our Catchment Area, click the link below

Catchment Map

Mid-term-co-ordinated-scheme-2023

Admissions Events

We hold numerous Open events, some just for families and some with your children,

To arrange a visit to the school, please contact the school office via email at office@dsatfarndonfields.org

Should your child secure a place at the school, we work closely with the preschools, playgroups and nurseries in the local area to learn more about your child to enable them to get the best start possible to our school. Families will be then invited to attend pre-transition sessions in the Summer Term before your child starts full time education in our Reception Year in the following Autumn Term.

First Time Admissions

All Discovery Schools have a single start for first time admissions at the start of the autumn term for children aged four years of age.

Children are offered a school place from four years of age, the autumn term following their fourth birthday. However, statutory school age is from the first term following their fifth birthday.

This means that:

A child turning 5yrs in the autumn term must start school no later than the start of the Spring term.
A child turning 5yrs in the spring term must start school no later than the start of the summer term.
A child turning 5yrs in the summer term must start school no later than the start of the Autumn term. Please see more information in sections 11 and 12.

Making a First Time Admission Application (FTA)

Arrangements are made in accordance with the Local Authority’s First Time Admissions Coordinated scheme. This means families must apply to the Local Authority where they live using the Common Application Form before the January 15th closing date for submissions.

Families’ who are resident in other areas must apply through their home Local

Authority. It is recommended that families also contact the Local Authority which the

desired school is located to discuss applications.

Families are encouraged to list three choices of schools on the application form

including the catchment school for that area. Contact your Local Authority to find out

your catchment school(s). The closing date for first time admission applications is the

15^th January (national closing date).

Families will be informed by their Local Authority of the place given to their child on the

16^th April (National Offer Day) or the next working day.

The easiest way to apply for a school place at a Discovery Schools is to apply online. To

apply online or speak to the Admissions Service at your Local Authority, please use the

contact details below:

Leicestershire County Council

School Admissions Service – 0116 305 6684
admissions@leics.gov.uk

Priority Criteria

At the point of first-time admission, if there are more requests for places than available, places will be allocated up to the PAN in accordance with the priority oversubscription criteria.

1st	A ‘looked after child’ or a child who was previously looked after but immediately after being looked after became subject to an adoption, child arrangements or special guardianship order.
2nd	Pupils that live in the catchment area of the school.
3rd	Pupils that have an older sibling attending the school at the same time, regardless of if they live in the catchment area or not.
4th	Pupils who have a serious medical condition or exceptional social or domestic needs that make it essential they attend the school requested. (Professional documentation confirming the situation must be submitted with the application).
5th	Children of staff at the school.
6th	Pupils living nearest to the school measured in a straight-line distance (home to school front gate).

**Full details of the priority criteria can be found in the full admissions policy above.

Mid-Term (In-Year) Applications

Discovery Trust Schools within Leicestershire County Council participate in full with the Local Authority’s coordinated scheme for Mid-Term (In-Year) applications. Click here to read the full policy outline.

To discuss a visit to our school, please contact the school office.

Should you wish to make an application to the school, parents must make an application via the Local Authority where they live using the Common Application Form. It is recommended that parents also contact the Local Authority which the desired school is located in to discuss applications.