At Paxcroft School we aim to ……

· Create a safe, secure and stimulating environment where children feel valued, respected and confident.

· Provide a challenging, creative curriculum and excellent teaching which enables each child to develop his or her academic and social potential to the fullest extent

· Work in partnership with parents and carers, drawing on their support and expertise

· Open good lines of communication which offer opportunities to discuss pupil progress and give information about school life

· Support children to achieve high standards of work and behaviour

· Prepare pupils to become active citizens of the world with tolerance for all regardless of race, ability or belief

ADMISSIONS

Admission to the Foundation Stage

The law says that your child must attend school full time from the beginning of the term following his or her fifth birthday. In Wiltshire children can begin school earlier than this. The county council amended its policy with effect from September 1997 so that a school place is available for all children from the September after their fourth birthday.

Paxcroft School is a Foundation School and although is able to decide its own policy for admissions, fit in line broadly with that of Wiltshire Local Education Authority. Parents and carers who wish their child to attend Paxcroft should apply directly to the school by completing our admissions form. The school forwards this form to the LEA, which collates admissions for Paxcroft, according to our criteria, along with those admissions to other schools in Wiltshire and issues school places on an advertised date. At Paxcroft our policy is that children who are 5 on or between 1^st September and 31^st March may start school from the second day of the autumn term for an induction period of three weeks of mornings and then full time. Children who are 5 on or between 1^st April and 31^st August may start school from the second day of the autumn term for mornings during term 1 and then full-time from the beginning of the second term, which normally begins at the start of November.

Starting school is a huge step for children (and their parents). You may feel that it is not right for your child to start school on the date that he or she is offered a school place and would prefer to delay starting school up until the term following his or her fifth birthday. We will do our best to support you, within the law and the county council’s policy, in decisions regarding the best time for your child to start school.

The Headteacher will give you information about starting school and will give you details about pre-school afternoons for our new Foundation Stage pupils. Please phone the school to make an appointment for a chat and a look around the school.

ADMISSION TO PAXCROFT SCHOOL FROM ANOTHER SCHOOL

If your child is to transfer to Paxcroft from another school we will do our best to make him or her feel happy and settled as quickly as possible. The Headteacher is always delighted to show parents and prospective pupils around the school and answer any questions. Your child will be welcome to spend time in school before transferring and once in school, he or she will have time to spend alone with the class teacher so that they have a chance to get to know one another. Your child will be teamed up with another child who will answer questions and be a companion until your child feels confident in his or her new surroundings.

If you wish your child to transfer to Paxcroft School, please contact the school office for the appropriate forms. Once returned to school, the application will be considered and a school place will be offered if there is space available in the appropriate year group.

Further details about admission to Paxcroft School is in our Admission Policy which will be provided on request from the school office