EMBARK School Admissions Arrangements 2024-25

EMBARK School Admissions Arrangements 2025-26

We are delighted that you are considering joining our school community. Before we explain the application process, please take time to read the following questions frequently asked by parents/carers and pupils.

Should a visit to Parkside be arranged before placing an application?

We recommend all young people and their parents/carers visit our school prior to application. This will give you a chance to tour our school and to meet our staff and wonderful pupils. This will also give you an opportunity to compare and contrast the curriculum and support we offer with that of your current school. To arrange a visit please complete our admissions information form and get in touch via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

How do you help ease the anxieties of young people joining your school on an in-year admission from one secondary school to another?

The emotional impact of moving secondary schools should not be underestimated as, from our experience, this can commonly trigger unforeseen trauma linked to a young person’s social, emotional and mental health. For this reason, we insist on an initial 12-week trial so we can work with your current school to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible. We understand that for pupils joining us from Year 6 this will not be possible.

My child has started their GCSE option subjects, can you guarantee they can pick the same subjects at Parkside?

Regrettably not. Certain subjects, such as engineering, can only accommodate a certain number of pupils due to health and safety requirements. Our staffing ratio is based on Year 9 pupil numbers and understandably this cannot include unforeseen Year 10 and Year 11 admissions. The current subject availability for potential Year 10 and Year 11 admissions is as follows:

Year 10 option subjects availability

Green = Spaces Available, Red = No spaces available

Year 11 option subjects availability

Green = Spaces Available, Red = No spaces available

How to apply for a school place at Parkside Community School

To apply for a place at Parkside Community School please follow the application process outlined on Derbyshire Country Council's schools and colleges webpage.

Our admissions statement

The maximum number of students which can be admitted into Year 7 each year is 120 and the school's total capacity is 600.

The Governing Body follows the Derbyshire County Council guidelines on the criteria for admissions to the school and priority for admissions will go to:

1. Looked after children and children who were looked after but ceased to be so because they were adopted (or became subject to a residence order or special guardianship order) including those children who appear (to the admission authority) to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted.

2. Children living in the normal area served by the school at the time of application and admission who have brothers or sisters attending the school at the time of application and admission.

3. Children living in the normal area served by the school at the time of application and admission.

4. Children not living in the normal area served by the school but who have brothers or sisters attending the school at the time of application and admission.

5. Other children whose parents have requested a place.

Where, in the case of 2, 3, 4, or 5, choices have to be made between children satisfying the same criteria, those children living nearest to the school (measured by the standard straight line) will be given preference.

Individual students who have learning difficulties, physical or sensory impairment and whose special educational needs can best be met in the school will be given priority where so determined by the Authority in consultation with the Governing Body.