Applications and Appeals
How to apply for a place at The Gilberd School (Year 7 September 2025 intake)
Essex County Council co-ordinate admission to The Gilberd School for those children moving from primary school Year 6 to Year 7 in a secondary school. ECC Information page
Parents must apply for a secondary school place in this instance by completing the Essex Common Application Form. This can either be completed online at www.essex.gov.uk/admissions or you can use the form in the booklet ‘Secondary Education in Essex 2025 – 2026’ available from Essex County Council.
Parents can express preferences for up to six schools, both in and out of Essex, in the order in which they would like them considered. On 3rd March 2025, parents will be notified by Essex County Council of one offer of a place at the highest preference school that can be met.
The closing date for applications for entrance in September 2025 is 31st October 2024. This is the last day for receipt by the Local Authority (Essex County Council) of the Common Application Form, either paper or online. Applications received after this date will normally be treated as late applications.
Timetable for Admissions and Appeals for Children Starting Secondary School in September 2025
| Thursday 31st October 2024 |
Closing date for applications. This is the last day for receipt by the Local Authority (Essex County Council) of the Common Application Form, either paper or online.
Applications received after this date will normally be treated as late applications. You cannot apply online after this date. |
| Monday 3rd March 2025 |
National Offer Day. Offer notifications sent to all Essex resident applicants by the Local Authority advising parents/carers of the outcome of their application. |
| If you do NOT receive a notification by Monday 10th March 2024 please contact the Local Authority’s School Admissions Team on 0345 603 2200. | |
| Tuesday 22nd April 2025 |
Deadline for Lodging an Appeal. Deadline by when appeals against a refusal of a place should be lodged if you want it to be heard before the end of the summer term.
An appeal form is available to download from the school website and must be returned directly to The Gilberd School.
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| Monday 19th – Thursday 22nd May 2025 |
Appeal Hearings. Appeals heard for those lodged by the deadline above and where possible for late appeals. Appeals lodged by parents/carers in relation to refusal of a place at The Gilberd School will be held virtually (via Zoom). (Appeals for applications made within the normal admissions round will be held within 40 school days of the above deadline. Appeals for late applications will be heard where possible within 40 school days of the above deadline OR within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged.) |
| September 2025 onwards | Appeal hearings for any appeals not heard before the end of the summer term. |
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Waiting List
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The waiting list for The Gilberd School is maintained by the Local Authority until 31st August 2025. Following that date, the waiting list will be maintained by The Gilberd School. |
Students with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
The admission of students with an EHCP (Education and Health Care Plan) is dealt via a separate procedure which is integral to the creation and maintenance of EHCPs by the students’s Local Education Authority. Parents who are considering naming The Gilberd School are advised to make early contact with our SEN Department and the Statutory Assessment Service.
How to apply for a mid-year place at The Gilberd School (transferring schools during Years 7-11)
Parents/Carers should complete the Mid-Year Application For A Secondary School Place form and return it directly to:
The Admissions Officer
The Gilberd School
Brinkley Lane
Colchester
CO4 9PU
The Admissions Officer will write to you to confirm if a place is available. If a place is not currently available you will be given the opportunity to join a waiting list. Waiting lists are disbanded at the end of each academic term.
At this stage you will have the right to appeal to an independent appeal panel and information will be provided to you in your refusal letter. For further information go to https://www.essex.gov.uk/Education-Schools/Schools/Admissions/Pages/Appeals.aspx. Appeals should be lodged within 20 school days of the refusal letter. Please print and complete The Notice of Appeal Form and this must be returned directly to The Gilberd School. On receipt of an appeal being lodged the hearing will be arranged within 30 school days. You will receive at least 10 school days’ notice of the date of the appeal hearing. After the appeal hearing you will receive a decision letter within 5 school days of the hearing wherever possible.
A Guide to School Admission Appeals
Waiting Lists
The waiting list for The Gilberd School is maintained by the Local Authority until 31 August. Following that date, the waiting list will be maintained by The Gilberd School.