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Admissions
Registration for all Essex Schools is managed centrally at the Planning and Admissions Department, Essex County Council. You should be sent primary school application information in late October; if you have not received this information by the middle of November please contact the Planning and Admissions Department by telephone (0345 603 2200) or email admissions@essex.gov.uk.
Anyone requiring additional advice, information or guidance relating to school admissions should, in the first instance, contact the Planning and Admissions team. You can also find out admission arrangements (including transition to secondary school) through the Essex County Council website.
Admissions into the foundation stage
As required by law, this school provides for the full-time admission of all children who become five years old in the September following their fourth birthday. Pupils will be admitted without reference to ability or aptitude. There is no guarantee of a place for children living in the priority admission area. In the event of oversubscription places will be allocated using the following criteria in the order given:
- Looked After Children and previously looked after children (as defined on in the Primary Education in Essex 2022/2023 booklet);
- Children with a sibling attending the school;
- Children living in the priority admission area;
- Remaining applications.
In the event of oversubscription within any of the above criteria, priority will be determined by straight line distance from home to school, those living closest being given the highest priority.
Admissions into foundation stage of children outside their age appropriate cohort
Parents may seek a place for their child outside of their age appropriate cohort, for example, if the child has experienced problems such as ill health. In addition, the parents of a summer born child may chose not to send that child to school until the September following their fifth birthday and may request that they are admitted out of their age appropriate cohort. All parental requests for admission into Foundation Stage outside of their age appropriate cohort must be in writing to the Governing Body, with supporting evidence from relevant professionals working with the child and family, stating why the child should be placed outside their age appropriate cohort. The Governing Body will decide each case on an individual basis and parents will be informed in writing of the decision made and the reasons behind the decision.
Mid-year entry into all other year groups
Applications should be made through the Local Authority. The Governing Body have agreed to maintain all classes at a maximum 30 pupils per class. In event of over-subscription the criteria will stand. In the event of classes being full, the Local Authority will maintain a waiting list which will be ranked according to our over-subscription criteria.
Looked After Children
A Looked After Child or a child who was previously Looked After and immediately became subject to an adoption, residence or special guardianship order, will be given first priority in over-subscription criteria ahead of all other applicants in accordance with the School Admissions Code 2012. 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 (as defined in Section 22(1) of the Children Act 1989).
Siblings
For applications made in the normal admission round, a relevant sibling is a child who has a brother, sister, adopted brother or sister or stepbrother or stepsister living in the same family unit in the same family household and address who attends the preferred school or partner school in any year group excluding the final year. Biological siblings who attend the preferred school in any year group, excluding the final year, will also be treated as siblings irrespective of place of residence. Children residing in the same household as part of an extended family, such as cousins, will not be treated as siblings.
Transition Arrangements for starting school
During the summer term before joining the school, parents are invited into school for a series of information induction sessions. During this time the children spend time with their new class teacher and other staff in their early years setting. In September, all children start school part-time for the first ten days. After this they become full-time at the school. Some children may need a longer transition period than this and we will consider each child’s individual needs during the 10-day induction period.
Visiting the school
Whether you are thinking about sending your child to us, or if you have made up your mind to do so, the Head Teacher will be pleased to show you around the school and answer all your questions.
If you have just moved into the village and are joining the school mid-term, please discuss with the Head Teacher the provision of an induction afternoon for your child. An afternoon spent in a new class is excellent preparation for full-time entry. This allows the new pupil to become familiar with a new teacher and classmates. For you, the parent, it gives further opportunities to discuss change with your child and offer emotional support.
