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Admissions
If you are thinking about appying for a place in our school you are very welcome to contact us to arrange a visit. This is a great opportunity to look around, meet our staff, and experience the welcoming atmosphere of school life at Orchard Fields. The School Office will be happy to organise your visit or answer any questions you may have.
All admissions to Orchard Fields, with the exception of our Nursery, are coordinated by Oxfordshire County Council. Further details for Nursery admissions can be found below.
How to Apply
Nursery Admissions
We are pleased to offer nursery places for both 2-year-olds and 3–4-year-olds at Orchard Fields.
We accept eligible 2-year-old children who qualify for 15 hours of funded provision through the economic (disadvantaged) criteria, or up to 30 hours through the working parent entitlement.
For children aged 3–4, all are entitled to 15 hours of universal funded childcare, beginning the term after their third birthday. Some families may also be eligible for up to 30 hours through the working parent entitlement.
Parents and carers wishing to apply for a funded 2-year-old place or the extended 30 hours working parent entitlement will need to check their eligibility online using the government’s eligibility checker:
https://beststartinlife.gov.uk/eligibility-checker/
If you are applying for the working parent entitlement, you will then need to complete your application here:
https://www.gov.uk/free-childcare-if-working/apply-for-free-childcare-if-youre-working
Application forms for our nursery are available from the School Office. Our staff will be happy to support you with the application process and answer any questions you may have.
We warmly welcome visits to our nursery—please contact the School Office to arrange a tour and see our setting in action.
Starting School
Children are eligible to start in our Reception class in September of the academic year in which they turn five.
Admissions are managed by Oxfordshire County Council. Applications typically open in October or November, with a deadline in January. Full details, including the online application form, can be found here. Please refer to the key dates below to ensure your application is submitted on time.
If your child attends our Nursery, you must still apply for a Reception place through this process. Attendance at our Nursery does not guarantee a place in Reception.
For further information, please visit our Reception page. If you would like to speak with our Early Years Lead, please contact the School Office.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 4 November 2025 | Applications open |
| 15 January 2026 | Closing date for applications |
| 30 January 2026 | Deadline for change of address confirmation |
| 16 April 2026 | National Offer Day – emails sent and letters posted (second class where required) |
| September 2026 | Start of the school year |
In-Year Applications
If your child is joining during the academic year (for example, due to moving schools or relocating from another county or abroad), you must apply through Oxfordshire County Council School Admissions here.
Once you have been offered a place, please contact the School Office to arrange a visit. You will then be provided with a start date and an application pack to complete before your child begins.
Secondary School Applications
When children are in Year 6, you will need to apply for a secondary school place. Applications usually open in early September, with a deadline at the end of October. Full details on how and when to apply can be found online here.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 12 September 2025 | Applications open |
| 31 October 2025 | Closing date for applications |
| 2 March 2026 | National Offer Day – emails and letters sent |
| September 2026 | Start of the school year |
Policies and Useful Links
As a local authority school, we are required to follow Oxfordshire County Council’s admissions policies. For more information, please refer to the following:
