Admissions

Leigh Academy Cherry Orchard is a two-form entry primary academy for students between the ages of 4 – 11. The Academy will admit a maximum of 60 children into each year group between Reception and Year 6.

Reception Admissions

Entry into the Reception year must be done by taking part in the Coordinated Admissions Process conducted by Kent County Council’s online process and expressing Leigh Academy Cherry Orchard as your first choice of preference. If our school receives more than 60 applications, then we will apply our oversubscription policy based on our admission arrangement. Please find our admissions arrangements below

In-Year Admission

We are currently full in all year groups. Thanks to the popularity of the school, we receive a very high number of In- Year Admission requests, hence running lengthy waiting lists in all the year groups. If you are looking for an In-Year transfer, please read the notes below carefully before joining our online waiting list:

  • This new online waiting list system came into effect on 09/11/2023. Any In-year requests that were sent to the office directly before this date were manually processed and added to our waiting list. Hence, you don’t have to join this online waiting list again. Please only join the online waiting list if you have never contacted us before regarding In-Year Admission.
  • Please note that the below steps are purely to join a waiting list, it’s not an admission process. You will only be contacted if a space becomes available and you become eligible under our admission criteria.
  • If you are yet to move to the area and are considering joining the waiting list, the earliest you may apply is 10 working days prior to your confirmed moving date.

Steps to join the online waiting list

  1. Download and fill in the Kent County Council (KCC) In Year Admission Form (IYAF) using the link below.
    https://www.kent.gov.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/3522/in-year-application-form.pdf
  2. Join our online waiting list by creating an account using the link below.
    https://laco.applicaa.com/waitinglist
  3. Fill in the requested details and most importantly, upload the completed KCC IYAF from the previous step.
  4. Once you have joined the waiting list, we process the In Year Admission Form uploaded by you and send it to Kent County Council. The council will provide us with an accurate distance between the address on the form and our school to help us rank the waiting list. This process may take up to a week, so please only contact us after a week to find out about your child’s waiting list position.

If you have queries regarding any of the above, please contact the school office:info@cherryorchard.latrust.org.uk or 01322 242011

Appeals

If you have not been offered a place, the law entitles you to appeal against that decision to an Independent Appeal Panel. The panel is completely independent of the school and the Local Authority. All appeals will be heard online, which has the advantage that your appeal can be heard from your home or place of work.

If you wish to appeal for a place in Reception, year 1 or year 2, please use this link to complete your appeal online. 

If you wish to appeal for a place in years 3 – 6 please use this link to complete your appeal online

Please do NOT use ANY other appeal form or send your form to your local authority. It is suggested that you download the explanatory booklet about appeals which you should read before you complete the appeal form.  Those applying for a place in Reception, Year 1 or Year 2 are advised to read the section in the appeal’s booklet which refer to Reception, years 1 and 2.

Appeals Explanatory Booklet - Education Appeals

If you are appealing for a place in years RECEPTION, year 1 or year 2, you are advised to read the section in the booklet which refers to appeals for these years.

You should include any evidence or supporting material with your appeal form and you MUST give the grounds for your appeal at the time you lodge your appeal form. Your appeal form will not be accepted unless you state the grounds for your appeal. You may appeal for more than one school.

Please note that the online form will ask you to download two utility bills dated in the last THREE months.  If you do not have access to a scanner, please take two photographs with a mobile phone and upload the photographic files.

Full details about the hearing will be sent to you with your invitation to the hearing.  If you wish to contact the clerk – email: clerk@educationappeals.com

Timetable for Appeals

Information about Primary Transfer appeals will be posted on this website before 28 February 2026

Mid-Term Applications Appeals

Last day for lodging appeal forms

20 School days after the decision letter informing you that you had not been offered a place.

Invitation letter giving details about your hearing will be sent by the Clerk to the Independent Appeal Panel

At least 10 school days before the hearing.  This MAY be emailed.

All in year appeal will be heard within 30 school days of the appeal form being lodged.

Closing date for any additional supporting evidence

FIVE working days before your hearing. You are advised that additional paperwork received on the day of the appeal hearing will not be taken into account. Please email to clerk@educationappeals.com 

Please note that slightly different rules will apply for any primary transfer appeals into Reception.

Letter from the Clerk informing you of the decision of the independent appeal panel

Due to the high number of appeals, an e mail is sent a few working days after your hearing with the decision of the panel.  This is followed up around 10 working days later with a letter outlining the panel’s reasons.