How to Apply
Summary of application process
Akaal Primary School is a state-funded Free School open to all primary-aged children irrespective of faith, ethnic origin or ability. The school will have an admission number of 60 pupils in each year group.
Pupil admissions will open for Reception year (age 4) on Saturday 1st November 2025.
You may choose to apply either through:
1. A Faith category place (50% of all places). If you are a practising member of a religion you may choose to apply through this category. Please complete Steps 1 and 2.
2. An Open place (the remaining 50% of places). If you are not a practising member of a faith please complete Step 1 only.
STEP 1 - For all applicants
All applicants must complete the Preference/Application Form for school’s admissions from your Local Authority, where you live, before Thursday 15th January 2026.
The Local Authority Preference/Application full guidance and form for school admissions may be found on the following websites (depending on where you live), for example:
Please ensure if you are applying under the staff or sibling category this is stated when completing your preferences.
Please see our Admissions Policy: Admissions Policy for Academic Year 2026-2027
STEP 2 - For Faith category places only
To apply for a Faith category place please complete and submit both Step 1 and Step 2 of the Supplementary Information Form (SIF) by 15th January 2026 for Reception (age 4) applicants:
Step 1 and Step 2: Supplementary Information Form (SIF)
Step 1: Print and complete the Place of Worship Form
Place of Worship form: Please ensure the form below is completed, signed, and stamped by a Gurudwara.
Link to Form: Place of Worship form
Note: If you are unable to print the form, please contact the school for a paper copy.
Step 2: Please upload the completed Place of Worship form using the following link.
Link to upload document(s): SIF form and other documents
For any queries please contact admissions.aps@nishkamschools.org
Please note the Supplementary Information Form will need to be fully and correctly completed within the specified deadlines. All other forms will unfortunately have to be legally rejected. In this circumstance your child’s place will automatically be considered within the ‘open category’.
Step 3 - Notification
Your Local Authority in which you live will notify you of which school your child has gained a place in on National Offer Day, 16th April 2026.
For further information please contact the school office on 01332 499 011 or email admissions.aps@nishkamschools.org.
In Year Admissions
If you are considering applying for a place at Nishkam school for your child other than for the beginning of Reception the process for applying is different to the above. This is known as an ‘In Year Application’. Please note that this is not undertaken directly through the school but through Derby council.
Please read and apply through: Derby In Year Admissions
If you would like this application to be considered as a ‘Faith’ category place please also complete 'In-year Step 1' and 'In-Year Step 2' of the Supplementary Information Form (SIF) below.
In-Year Step 1 and In-Year Step 2: Supplementary Information Form (SIF) 2025 2026
Step 1: Print and complete the Place of Worship Form
Place of Worship form: Please ensure the form below is completed, signed, and stamped by a Gurudwara.
Link to form: In-Year Place of Worship Form
Note: If you are unable to print the form, please contact the school for a paper copy.
Step 2: Please upload the completed Place of Worship form using the following link.
Link to upload document(s): In-Year SIF and other documents
For any queries please contact admissions.aps@nishkamschools.org
In addition please carefully read the ‘In Year Admissions Policy for Academic Year 2025-2026’
The following links are also available for further information:
Appeals
Please see link to the Appeals page