Joining Us in Year 10

If you would like to join us in September 2025, our first round of applications opened on the 1st October and close on the 11th November. 

You can make an application here

If you are unable to  attend the open event in October, we recommend that you book a school tour below.

KS4 Courses AvailableBook a School Tour 

Application process

• 1/10/24: Applications open. 
• 11/11/24: Applications close. If we still have places available after 11/11/24, we will continue to take applications until 10/02/25 or when we reach our intake capacity – whichever happens first. 
• 23/11/ 24: CAT4 (Cognitive Abilities Test) testing for all on-time applicants will take place. You must attend this event for your application to be taken forward. 
  • An invitation email will be sent to all applicants a couple of weeks before the testing day.
  • This test will not be used to admit applicants who perform “best” on the test. The test has no pass or fail and will be used to ensure UTCN admits students from the full spectrum of ability. We are a non-selective school and want to admit students from a wide range of abilities.
  • The test reveals hidden potential by assessing the other main types of reasoning ability known to make a difference in learning and achievement, providing us with a rounded profile of the whole child
  • The test measures verbal, non-verbal, quantitative and spatial reasoning 
  • It is not a test of learned knowledge. You cannot revise for this test.
  • A useful video about the test can be found here.
  • More information about testing SEND and EAL students can be found here.
• Friday, 13th December 2024: Offer letters and emails will be sent out
• February 2025: KS4 Options Event 
• July 2025: We will hold Induction days for new starters to year 10
• September 2025: New Parents’ Information Evening: At this event, UTCN systems and procedures will be explained and parents will have the opportunity to meet key staff including Form Tutors.
• September 2025: New school year commences

NB.  Information on the school uniform can be found here. Uniforms can be ordered here. If you have any queries about uniforms, please contact Birds of Dereham  on 01362 692941 or enquiries@birdsofdereham.com

FAQs

• How do I apply for their child to attend your school?

  • If you are having trouble making an application, please view the following helpful videos on Year 10 applications

  • Our admissions portal can  be accessed here

• Do  I need to inform my child's current school if I apply for a place at UTCN?
  • It's up to you when you tell your child's current school that you plan to move them for year 10. We will tell the council in September once your child has arrived at UTCN. They will then inform your child's current school. We do however suggest that you let your child's school know that they will be leaving prior to this as a courtesy.
• What are you oversubscription criteria?
  • Where the number of applicants is greater than the published admission number, the following process will apply.
  • To ensure an even ability spread, places will be allocated with reference to the CAT testing, as follows:
    •  Band A – 25% of the total places ie. approx 38 students
    • Band B – 25% of the total places ie. approx 38 students
    • Band C – 25% of the total places ie. approx 38 students
    • Band D – 25% of the total places ie. approx 38 students
  • Before making allocations, the following oversubscription criteria will be applied:
    • Students with EHCPs who have named UTCN in their plan.
    • Looked After Children (and previously looked after children).
    • Children of staff at the school, in either of the following circumstances:
      • a) The member of staff is employed on a permanent basis at the time at which the application for admission to the school is made, or
      • b) The member of staff has been appointed but has not yet taken up their role at the time at which the application for admission to the school is made 
    • The remaining places will be allocated to children who live in the catchment area served by UTCN (map and list of postcodes above) with reference to the CAT testing, taking into account the allocations already made on the criteria above. Eg. if 3 students with EHCPs have named UTCN, and all are in CAT Band B, there will be 35 Band B places remaining.
    • Places will be distributed by random allocation within each Band.
  • If places remain, the following criteria will apply:
    • Children who live outside the catchment area served by UTCN who have an older sibling (full, step, half, adopted or fostered brother or sister but not cousins) attending the UTC at the time of admission
    • Children who live outside the catchment area served by UTCN but are attending a secondary school within the catchment area at the opening date of the admission round i.e., September 19, 2024
    • Children who live outside the catchment area served by UTCN Please note, we do not give priority to applications from students from particular schools.
• What is the appeals process?
  • If your child’s application for a place at the school is unsuccessful, you will be informed why admission was refused and given information about the process for hearing appeals.
  • If you wish to appeal, you must set out the grounds for your appeal in writing and send it to the following address:
    • The Headteacher, UTCN, Old Hall Road, Norwich NR4 6FF
  • Unsuccessful applicants have a right of appeal to an Independent Appeals Panel. The panel consists of three people who are independent to the academy.
  • Appeals will be independently managed in accordance with statutory regulations and will be heard within 40 school days of the appeal being lodged

Below, we set out a few important items of information which I hope that you will find useful. 

Year 10 Summer Work Pack

Travel

SEN

Term Dates