Market Harborough C of E is a non-selective Church of England School. Children start school in the September of the academic year in which they have their fifth birthday. We have a comprehensive induction programme for children starting Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) which includes visits by our staff to see the children in their pre-school setting, an evening presentation to parents, an informal “getting to know you” tea party, a series of taster sessions in school and an information booklet for children and parents to share.

If you are considering sending your child to our school we would encourage you to come and look around and speak to our Headteacher - please contact the school office to make an appointment. We also offer Open Events throughout September and October of each year, where you are welcome to visit the school for a tour. For details please see our 'News & Events' page.

Applying for your first school place

If you would like to apply for a place at our school, and you live in Leicestershire, the first step is to fill in a Leicestershire schools’ admission application form. You can apply online at the Council's website. The admissions window is open from June until January, the year before your child starts school (e.g. If your child is due to start in September 2025, you have until January 2025 to make your application). You will be informed of which school your child will be attending in the April.

If you don't live in Leicestershire, your application must be made to the Local Authority where you live. For example, if you live in Northamptonshire, you must complete the Northamptonshire County Council application form for a primary school place, even if you intend to send your child to a school in Leicestershire.

Each Local Authority has a duty to provide school places for all pupils living in its area. Leicestershire achieves this by giving high priority to catchment area children, and by allowing parental preference wherever possible.

Parents have a right to express a preference for a school place, including where the child has Statement of Special Educational Needs. Parents must ensure suitable full-time education for their children by attendance at school or otherwise once they reach compulsory school age.

Parents whose preferences are refused, have a right to appeal to an Independent Appeal Committee whose decision is binding, except for children with statements whose parents can appeal to the Special Educational Needs Tribunal. Pupils admitted following appeal to community and voluntary controlled schools will have their admission confirmed by the Local Authority (this is because the Admitting Authority has been directed, in effect, to admit the pupil in these circumstances).

Our planned admission number for first time admissions (to start school in Reception) is 60 pupils. If there are too many requests for the number of places available, priority will be given to children in the appropriate age-range, whose parents applied on time in the following order in line with the LA admissions policy:

• Children who are in public care and those children who were previously looked after children (see note ii)
• Pupils who live in the catchment area (See note iii)
• Pupils who will have an older brother or sister attending the same school at the same time (see notes iv and v)
• 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.) (see note v)
• Pupils starting at an infant school with a sibling attending at the same time in the linked Junior school (see note iv) or Pupils transferring to High school who will have an older brother or sister attending the linked Upper school at the same time (see note iv)
• Pupils living nearest to the school measured in a straight line distance (home to school front gate) (see note ix)

Appeals are administered by the Diocesan Board of Education.  For further information see the  Admissions & Appeals – Leicester Diocesan Board of Education (leicesterdbe.org) Attached is also a list of dates the Appeals Service works to. 

Midterm Admissions and transfers 

For midterm transfers, please apply via the Learn Academies Trust admissions portal at apply.learnat.uk. The school no longer processes midterm admissions through the Local Authority. If you have any questions or require assistance with your application, please contact the school office.

We fully participate in the Local Authority's coordinated admissions scheme. As per the School Admissions Code, all admitting authorities must aim to inform parents of their decision within 10 school days, and it is mandatory that a decision is communicated within 15 school days.

 

Every effort is made to ensure that the transfer between settings is as smooth as possible. Children leave to continue their education at secondary school at the age of eleven. The majority of our pupils transfer locally to Welland Park Academy (11 to 16) and Robert Smyth Academy (11 to 19). All children have opportunities to visit their secondary school and meet the staff before transfer.

 

First time admissions in September 2023 and mid-year admissions during the 2023-24 school year:

Learn-AT Admissions Policy 2023/24 - Part 1 (PDF)

Learn-AT Admissions Policy 2023/24 Part 2 - Market Harborough CE Academy

First time admissions in September 2024 and mid-year admissions during 2024-25 school year:

Learn-AT Admissions Policy 2024/25 - Part 1

Learn-AT Admissions Policy 2024/25 - Part 2 - Market Harborough CE Academy

First time admissions in September 2025 and mid-year admissions during 2025-26 school year:

Learn-AT Admissions Policy 2025/26 - Part 1

Learn-AT Admissions Policy 2025/26 Part 2 - Market Harborough CE Academy