Admissions

William de Ferrers is a popular, successful 11-18 school. We pride ourselves on the high levels of academic success and the wide range of extra-curricular activities available to our students.

I hope that you have had the opportunity to look around our website to give you a flavour of everything that goes on in the school. I also hope that you have visited the school as it is only by walking around the site and seeing the work that goes in the school every day, that you will truly get a full picture of the great school we are.

Year 7

Admission to Year 7 (September 2027)

Students wishing to join William de Ferrers in Year 7 (starting September 2027) will receive information from Essex County Council regarding the admission process. Details on how to apply for a secondary school place can be found here. 

Each September an open evening is held when prospective parents and members of the local community are welcome to visit the school. The school opens its doors across all subject areas and presentations are made by Headteacher in the Dame Elizabeth Hall, when staff can meet prospective parents and explain in detail the admission procedures and answer any questions. 

Parents should be aware that offers for places at the William de Ferrers School will be made on behalf of the Local Governing Body by the Local Education Authority. Forms must be returned to the Local Education Authority by the stated deadline. 

During the month of June prior to the September entry, a further meeting is held when the headteacher and senior staff meet with parents to provide an overview of life in Year 7 and answer any questions.

Please follow this link to the Admissions page on Essex County Council’s Website:

https://www.essex.gov.uk/schools-and-learning/schools/admissions. Email admissions@essex.gov.uk. Telephone: 0345 603 2200

Mid-year Admissions in years 7 - 11

William de Ferrers School accepts mid-year admissions for Years 7-11 if a vacancy occurs. The School maintains a Waiting List of those to whom we were unable to offer places in Year 7, and, who indicate in writing that they would like to remain on the Waiting List.  

All mid-term applications should be made directly to William de Ferrers School by completing this application form. 

Right to appeal

All applicants refused a place have a right of appeal to an independent appeals panel constituted and operated in accordance with the School Admission Appeals Code. Appellants should contact Essex County Council should they wish to appeal the decision to refuse a place (please visit www.essex.gov.uk/admissions for more information on how to appeal). Appeals should be lodged within twenty days from the date of notification that the application was unsuccessful. 

If a parent has already had an unsuccessful appeal in the same academic year, in alignment with Essex County Council’s policy, we will not consider another application in the same academic year unless there have been significant and material changes in the circumstances of the parent, child or school, which could warrant a new application. These changes have to relate to the new application and not be connected with the result of the first application.