Starting School
Children reach compulsory school age at the beginning of term after their fifth birthday. The children due to be admitted in any academic year are those born between 1st September and the following 31st August. Each school decides as a matter of policy when to admit four year olds. In coming to a decision the Head teacher has to take account of the number of teachers, class size and the accomodation of the school. At Challock Primary School, Reception children join the school in September.
Those children whose birthdays fall between 1st September and 31st December attend school full-time in September. Those with birthdays between 1st january and 31st August start on a part-time basis. Their hours are increased during their first term. These vary according to the needs of the individual child.
In line with Kent County Council's commitment to open enrolment, Challock Primary School will do its best to provide a place at the school, but this may not always be possible, the capacity of the accomodation or other constraints at our school may mean that parental preference cannot be met.
Admission may have to be refused, for example, if it would lead to oversized classes now or later, or it would prevent resources from being used efficiently. In some years we have not been able to accept all applicants to the school.
The LEA has to plan the number of children admitted to each school very carefully to make sure that no school is overcrowded. For this reason Challock Primary School intends to admit 20 children into Reception for the new academic year.
If the number of preferences for our school is less than this figure, there is usually no problem in meeting parents' wishes. However, there may be occasions where so many parents want places that difficult decisions have to be made.
When this happens, places at county schools will be allocated by the LEA (or Head teacher acting on its behalf) taking into account the following priority order:
- Parent's wishes
- Current family association (an elder brother or sister in the school at time of entry). Rules are changing regarding this and reference needs to be made to the LEA guidance for clarification.
- Health reasons (for which a medical certificate may be necessary).
- Nearness of children's homes and ease of access to school.
Changing Schools
If you want to transfer your child from one primary school to another, other than at the normal transfer age (for example because you are moving home), you should contact the school, it would also be helpful if you could inform the Head teacher of your child's present school. The transfer of a child to another school on educational grounds can be considered at any time.
How To Apply
You should complete an application form, which is available from the school or area office. The local authority now processes the applications centrally. There are set deadlines for returning forms for children entering Reception, these are set by the County and are usually around the end of March but with the new procedures these dates may well be different. All applicants will be kept informed of the new regulations. | 