Starting School
Applying for a school place for September 2025
If your child was born between 1st September 2020 and 31st August 2021 you need to apply for a school place for September 2025. The closing date for applications is Wednesday 15th January 2025.
For school admissions enquiries please contact:
Telephone 01202 123222 or email cis@bcpcouncil.gov.uk or school.admissions@bcpcouncil.gov.uk
Starting ‘big’ school is always an exciting but can also be a nervous time for all the children, parents/carers. Making new friends, learning new things, meeting new people, this can sometimes be quite daunting!
We organise a range of activities to help make the transition into school as smooth and enjoyable for all the children and the parents/carers too. We work closely with the local nurseries and pre-school settings, with many visiting our school with the children during the summer term. Your child’s nursery setting will work with the school to prepare your child for September. They will talk about the school, show pictures and practise putting on their uniform and enjoy lots of role playing.
We will receive transition documents for all of the children during the summer term from their setting, these are shared with the class teachers and pastoral team to help in supporting your child and allocating a suitable class place. Our Early Years Leader, and other members of school staff, will arrange to visit the children in their local setting and a home visit will also be arranged. For any settings we are unable to visit, we will always make contact via telephone to find out about your child and to establish their needs as much as possible.
When school places have then been confirmed, we will invite all parents/carers to a 'Welcome Evening’. This will give you the opportunity to meet class teachers and see their classroom and Year base. At a later date, you will also have an opportunity to meet on a 1-1 basis with the class teacher. Children will also be invited to come in to have a story time with their class teacher and new friends. All dates/times will be confirmed.
As September approaches fast and you enjoy your valued time with your little one before they start, the class teacher and the class teaching assistant will arrange to meet with you. This is an important part of the transition to school, and the staff and children gain so much from the visit. This will give you another opportunity to ask any questions and air any concerns you are experiencing.
Our Reception children always start the following week after our other children have returned in September (normally the second week). We have a staggered start for all children, where half the class will attend one day (all day) and the other half of the class attend the next day with all children then attending together the following day. All children then attend school all day every day following this short induction.
For most children, starting school is an exciting enjoyable time and we love to watch the children come into school with smiles on their faces and watch them quickly settle into school life. For some children the transition is sometimes not as smooth, if you are concerned about your child’s start and feel they would maybe benefit from additional support then please do not hesitate to contact our Early Years Leader.
Your child’s happiness is our happiness!