The admissions process can be quite daunting. If you are wondering if Dymchurch is the right school for your child, the best way to find out is to come and visit us.  We would love to meet you and would welcome the opportunity to show you around. 

We hold a series of open mornings but we are also really flexible if you are unable to make these dates.

We believe that each child can only achieve their full potential if they are happy and secure in their school environment.

Our small classes, excellent academic record, rural setting may be right for your child.

If you are wondering if Dymchurch Primary School is right for your child, the best way to find out is to come and visit us.

Facebook link for Dymchurch Primary School

Twitter link for Dymchurch Primary School

Please telephone the School Office on 01303 872377, or email [email protected] to book an appointment.

Admissions Policy

The Board of Trustees of OCMAT is the admissions authority for all schools within the Trust.  For full details of our admissions policy criteria, please see our Admissions Arrangements Policy.

How to apply

Although we are an Academy, the Local Authority manage the admissions process on our behalf.  Details on how to apply are in the Kent Guide to applying for a primary school in Kent.

If you still have questions regarding admissions you can contact the KCC Admissions team on 03000 41 21 21 or email [email protected]

When to apply

If your child was born between 1st September 2019 and 31st August 2020, you should be applying for a place in a Reception class in September 2024.

Legally a child reaches compulsory school age in the term following their fifth birthday; County policy is to encourage parents to enrol their children in Reception classes before this deadline. You need to apply on-line within a specific window each year (usually November to January prior to the September your child is due to start school). The Local Authority then allocate places at schools each year according to the published admissions criteria.

Applications are open from 3rd November 2023 to 15^th January 2024 with the child starting in the following September.

Admissions appeals

If you applied for a place a Dymchurch but were not offered one, you have a right to appeal against the Local Authority’s decision. As well as appealing you can also add your name to the school held waiting list by contacting the school office.

If you weren't offered your chosen school, this is usually because the school is full and there were other children who more closely met the school’s oversubscription criteria.

We recommend you still accept the place your child has been offered. This will not affect your appeal and will guarantee your child has a school place if your appeal is unsuccessful. If your appeal is successful you must remember to tell the school you were originally offered that you no longer want the place.

If your child is due to start primary school in September 2024, you can appeal if you are refused a place at one of your preferred schools on National Offer Day - Tuesday 16 April 2024.

You must submit your appeal before Tuesday 14 May 2024 for it to be considered by Tuesday 16 July 2024.

Any appeals received after this time will be heard within 40 school days from the deadline, or where reasonably possible in line with updated guidance from the Department for Education.

For late applications, appeals should be heard within 40 school days from the deadline for lodging appeals where possible, or within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged where reasonably possible in line with updated guidance from the Department for Education.

Please follow the link below for full details:

Accepting your school place

You will be notified by KCC in April, prior to the September your child is due to start school, of your school offer. You should read the offer letter carefully and in particular adhere to dates for accepting or refusing an offer. 

Once you have accepted your offer to Dymchurch, both you and your child will be invited to visit the school during the summer terms for transition sessions and information meetings, both in school time and after school, to help integrate your child and ensure that their start to school life goes smoothly.  

In year applications

If you are looking for a place in either Reception or years 1 to 6 for your child during the academic year, you need to apply by completing an In Year Admission Form.  Once completed,  please return it to the school office. You are also welcome to call us to find out if we have any school places available and - if necessary - be added to our school held waiting list.

Transfer at 11

Children leaving Dymchurch to move to Secondary education go to a variety of schools. In their final year at primary school pupils can, if parents wish, undertake the selection test for a Grammar school place (11 plus or Kent Test).  Many of the secondary schools in our area have their own entrance tests or have specific criteria for admission, details of which can be obtained directly from the schools concerned. The schools also hold open days when your child is in year 5, giving you plenty of time to gather information before making your decisions.