Duke of York's Royal Military School

When there are more applications than places for 2027-28 (Year 7), places are offered in this order of priority. Meeting a higher criterion beats meeting a lower one.

1. 1Looked After Children and previously Looked After Children — A looked after child is a child who is (a) in the care of a local authority, or (b) being provided with accommodation by a local authority in the exercise of their social services functions (see the definition in Section 22(1) of the Children Act 1989) at the time of making an application to a school. A previously looked after child applies to such children who were adopted (or subject to child arrangements orders or special guardianship orders) immediately beyond having been looked after, and 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. A child is regarded as having been in state care outside of England if they were in the care of, or were accommodated by a public authority, a religious organisation, or any other provider of care whose sole or main purpose is to benefit society.
2. 2Children of members of the UK Armed Forces — Due to high family mobility, qualify for Ministry of Defence financial assistance with the cost of boarding school fees. Evidence to be provided by Unit Welfare Officer or equivalent.
3. 3Boarding Need — The School welcomes applications from families where a boarding environment is considered particularly beneficial for the child. Applications under this criterion are assessed through a structured, evidence-based scoring process to ensure fairness, transparency, and objectivity, in line with paragraph 1.8 of the School Admissions Code. Applicants must complete the relevant section of the School's application form, responding to four questions. Each answer must be supported by appropriate evidence. Each question is scored from 0 to 5, based on the relevance, clarity, and strength of supporting evidence. Four Assessment Questions: a) Please describe any family circumstances that make a boarding school particularly suitable for your child. This may include, but is not limited to, an unstable home environment or high levels of expected family mobility over the next five years. b) Do parental work patterns make boarding particularly suitable for your child (e.g. shift work, frequent travel, overseas deployments)? Please provide supporting evidence. c) Does your home's location create a boarding need to attend the School (e.g. significant travel barriers, rural isolation, or service-related postings abroad)? Please provide supporting evidence. d) Does any aspect of The Duke of York's Royal Military School's curriculum support your child's future ambitions? Please explain and provide relevant evidence. Scoring and Assessment Process: Each question will be scored on a scale of 0 to 5. A maximum score of 5 will be applied to both questions B and C to ensure balanced weighting across different types of need. The total maximum score available is 15. All applications are reviewed by the School's Admissions Panel using a consistent scoring rubric. Applicants will be ranked in descending order of total score, and offers will be made accordingly, subject to suitability for boarding and availability of places.
4. 4Siblings — The siblings of students who are already on The Duke of York's Royal Military School roll and who will still be on roll when the applicant is admitted. If you are offered a place under the Sibling Criterion, you will need to provide evidence of the sibling link, such as the sibling's birth certificate, to confirm that your child is eligible for a place under this criterion. The School may request additional or alternative evidence where necessary to verify the information provided.
5. 5Distance of the child's home to the School — We use the distance between the child's permanent home address (defined in Kent County Council's Annual Admissions Prospectus) and the School, measured in a straight line using the National Land and Property Gazetteer (NLPG) address point. Distances are measured from a point defined as within the child's home to a point defined as within the School, as specified by NLPG. The same address point on the School site is used for everybody. When we apply the distance criterion for the School, these straight-line measurements are used to determine how close each applicant's address is to the School. Where applications are made from properties or abodes that are not registered to the NLPG, including new build properties, KCC may be required to use planning sites or other relevant co-ordinates. In exceptional circumstances where alternative co-ordinates are not available, measurements will be determined by Head of Admissions and confirmed by the Registrar.

If two applications tie: For category 2 oversubscription: (a) The siblings of students who are already on roll and who will continue to be on roll. (b) Children of multiple birth (twins, triplets etc). (c) Distance of normal home or unit base from the school. (d) Random allocation by an independent adjudicator will be used to determine who is admitted. For category 3 oversubscription: (a) The rank order provided by the Trustees Business Committee review. (b) The siblings of students who are already on roll and who will continue to be on roll when the child is admitted. (c) Children of multiple birth. (d) Distance of home from the school. (e) Random allocation by an independent adjudicator will be used to determine who is admitted. For category 4 oversubscription: (a) Children of multiple birth. (b) Distance of home from the school. (c) Random allocation by an independent adjudicator will be used to determine who is admitted. For category 5 oversubscription: random allocation by an independent adjudicator will be used to determine who is admitted if the final vacancy has two students with the same distance measurement.

EHCP students admitted first via statutory consultation process. Year 7 PAN is 80 (up to 44 boys and 36 girls). Year 9 PAN is 100 (up to 54 boys and 46 girls). Year 12 PAN is 90 (45 boys and 45 girls). All students must be suitable for boarding. Boarding Suitability assessment required for all applicants. Applications close last day of Autumn Term (December).

Published by the admission authority. Meeting a criterion never guarantees a place — it sets the order places are offered in. Full detail, other entry points and previous years are on the Admissions tab.