Ark Dickens Primary Academy is a two form entry primary school which offers 60 nursery places and 60 reception places each year. It is a non-denominational, non-selective school for local children. If you would like to find out more about the academy, or to visit us, please contact the school on 023 9282 6514.

Children born between 1 September 2015 and 31 August 2016 are due to start Reception Class, the first year of primary school, in September 2020.

Applications to Ark Dickens Primary Academy are made through Portsmouth City Council, rather than directly through the school. You can find details of how to apply on the Portsmouth City Council primary admissions site.

Portsmouth City councils online application service will open on 5th November 2019 and all applications for reception places in September 2020 must be received by 15 January 2020.

If you would like to find out about our admissions policy, then please click the link below. Alternatively if you would like further assistance with regards to the admissions process, please contact the school office on 023 9282 6514.

Ark Dickens Admissions Policy 2020-21

Ark Dickens Admissions Policy 2021-22

Ark Dickens Admissions Policy 2021-22 addon

Ark Dickens Admissions Policy 2022-2023

This policy was amended with the authorisation of the Education Funding Agency to clarify that applicants within the catchment area would be prioritised by straight line distance from the school.

Ark network appeals timetable

September 2021 entry

Appeals for children refused a place at a preferred school for admission to Reception class in September 2021 will be heard in line with the School Admissions Appeals Code (2012).  

Due to COVID-19 restrictions it may not be possible to hold appeal panel hearings in the usual way this year. The Department for Education has now issued revised guidelines for Admissions Authorities on how appeals should be dealt with. Appeals will be heard during May/June/July; all appellants will be contacted by the independent appeals clerk to explain the process, which will be the same for all Ark schools.

Ark Network Appeals Timetable

Appeals for children refused a place at a preferred school for admission to Reception/Year 7/Yr 12 in September 2021 will be heard in line with the School Admissions Appeals Code (2012).

Appeals panel hearings will take place within 40 school days of the deadline for submitting appeals.

Parents/carers will be notified of their appeal date by the independent appeal panel clerk.

If you wish to appeal for a place in Year 7/Year 12, please click here for the secondary appeal form.

If you wish to appeal for a place in Reception, please first read this guidance about infant class size appeals , click here for the primary appeal form.

Please contact the academy if you need a paper form.

Information on appeals can be found on Portsmouth City Council's website.

‘On-time’ appeals will be heard within 40 school days of the deadline for lodging appeals. Appeals lodged after these dates will be heard within 40 school days of the appeal deadline or 30 school days of being lodged, whichever is the later date.

Mid-year appeals must be heard within 30 school days of receipt of the appeal.

Parents/carers will be notified of their appeal date by an external agency engaged by the Ark network.

Any additional evidence parents/carers wish to submit in support of their appeal must be sent to the external agency at least five working days before the hearing. Any evidence not submitted by this deadline may not be considered by the independent appeal panel.

Please read this guidance about infant class size appeals and follow this link to the primary appeal form. Please contact Ms Hall in the school office if you need a paper form. 

Appeals process

Download our Guidance on Infant Class Size Appeals here