MURRAY PARK SCHOOL ADMISSION ARRANGEMENTS NEW YEAR 7 2026-27 & 2025-26 AND IN-YEAR TRANSFER 2024-25
Status of the school
Murray Park is an 11-16 Foundation School. This means that the Governing Body retain ownership of the school and is the employer of the staff.
Admission arrangements
To apply for a school place at Murray Park School for September 2026 and September 2025 as a new year 7, please complete the form which can be found on the Derby City Council website, or you can follow this link: https://www.derby.gov.uk/education-and-learning/schools-and-colleges/school-admissions/secondary-schools-admissions/year-seven-place/#page-1
If you are applying for a school place at another time (change of school) during the school year, please follow this link and complete the form as requested. https://www.derby.gov.uk/education-and-learning/schools-and-colleges/school-admissions/secondary-schools-admissions/apply-for-secondary-school-tranfer/
If your child has a Special Educational Need and/or Disability (SEND) and/or Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) you need to contact Derby City Council’s Vulnerable Learners’ Service on 01332 641414, or follow this link: EHC assessments and plans – Derby City Council
Applications for admission will be considered from pupils, who are aged 11, without reference to aptitude or ability.
The admission number for September 2026 and September 2025 is 280. Additional accommodation is being provided at the school with a view to increasing the PAN up to a maximum of 330. Pupil numbers and projections will continue to be monitored and reviewed, liaising closely with the LA over the phasing of the opening of the places.
Priority for admission will be given to children whose parents have requested a place using the Common Application Form obtained from the Local Authority the child is resident in.
If the number of applications exceeds the number of places then the following criteria will apply, in order of importance:
In line with 2021 School Admission Code, a ‘looked after child’ or a child who was previously looked after but immediately after being looked after became subject to an adoption, residence, or special guardianship order 67. A looked after child is a child who is (a) in the care of a local authority, or (b) being provided with accommodation by a local authority in the exercise of their social services functions (see the definition in section 22(1) of the Children Act 1989) or (c) in state care outside of England and have ceased being in state care as a result of being adopted, also received the same highest priority for admission into a school in England.
- Those living in the defined “normal catchment” area (map available)
- Siblings of those students who will be attending the school at the date of admission – in order of proximity. Where a family moves after the closing date, we will assess applications from the address the parents are living at the closest date, and will reassess applications on the national offer date.
- Proximity to the school.
In cases of a tiebreaker for applications of equal strength, preference will be given to the applicant with the shorter proximity to the school measured by the shortest available route from the home to the main school entrance. The route will be measured by straight lines using the National Ordnance Survey set points.
Siblings are defined as brothers and sisters who are either a blood relative or are a sibling by legal adoption or fostering. Brothers and sisters must be living at the same address.
Parents of children not offered a place will be informed of their right of appeal to an independent appeal panel.
In cases where an appeal is unsuccessful, the governors will not accept a further appeal during the same academic year unless there are significant and/or material changes in circumstances of the child, or the school for which supporting documentary evidence will be required.
The school will observe the locally agreed Fair Access Protocols which may take precedence over the above criteria.
Once your application has been made, Derby City Council will assess your application and make contact with next steps.
Admission appeals
If your child has not been offered a place at our school and you wish to make an appeal, please contact Murray Park School directly by clicking to request an appeal form.
Once you have completed and returned your appeal form, this will be fowarded to the council and they will acknowledge receipt of your appeal in writing.
The Appeals Panel Officer will then write to you at least 10 school days before the hearing telling where and when your appeal will take place. The letter will also include a copy of your original appeal and the school’s case.
Admission appeals timetable;
- for lodging appeals at least 20 school days after notification
- reasonable deadlines for appellants to submit evidence and for the clerk to send papers out
- at least 10 days notice of the appeal hearing
- Decision letters sent within 5 school days of the hearing.
New Year 7 – Secondary School Appeals Timetable
