If you have any questions about your child’s Reception school place, please contact the school office.
Pupils whose 5th birthday is between 1st September and 31st August will be admitted into Reception in the Autumn Term of that academic Year. Applications must be made through Essex County Council by 15th January in the calendar year that they expect to start school.
All applications received after 15th January will be treated as late and will only be processed after all on-time applications. You are less likely to get a place at one of your preferred schools if you apply later.
The School Admissions Team (Essex) will confirm your child’s school place with you direct, after the Easter holiday in the academic year before your child is due to start school.
Parents may request to defer their child’s start date until later in the school year in the new term after your child’s 5th birthday (compulsory school age). Parents may also request that their child attends part time until the child reaches the compulsory school age. However, should you wish to consider these options it is recommended that you discuss this with the school at the earliest opportunity.
We will contact all families who have a confirmed place in our school during the Summer Term. The process of induction will begin towards the end of the academic year before your child starts school and will continue in September when they start.
If your child is not offered a place at your preferred school, you can appeal against the decision. To find out more information go to the Essex Admissions appeals website.
For children starting infant, junior or primary school from September the timetable for Appeals is as follows:
For parents with children under 5 years old, who have not yet started school, the Department of Education (DfE)’s Hungry Little Minds campaign features tips and practical activities that you can do at home with children to support their early learning. There are many simple ways to help your children learn and it does not have to feel like ‘learning’. Having everyday conversations, make-believe play, and reading together, all make a big difference to your child’s development. You can find more ideas and content from the BBC’s Tiny Happy People campaign and the National Literacy Trust Family Zone.
The Starting Primary School pages on BBC Bitesize are packed with free resources for parents. Experts and parents share their top tips and advice in short films and articles. Topics covered include toilet training, encouraging children to read, co-parenting and supporting your child’s mental health. The website address is bbc.co.uk/startingprimaryschool.
Please see below a video from the Essex Child & Family Wellbeing Service which shares information with parents in regards to their services and school readiness.
Essex Child & Family Wellbeing Service – School Readiness Video
If you are looking to change your child’s school after they have started, then you must apply directly to us. This will include children who are already in Reception in another school.
Once we receive your application we will respond to you within 10 school days (this does not include weekends or school holidays). In our response we will tell you whether we can offer you a place or not.
You are welcome to telephone or email the school office to find out if we have any places in your year group. This will save you time applying for a place if we do not have any available. You can also ask to go on our waiting list.
We would be very happy to show you around our school and answer any questions you may have. Please contact our school office to arrange a visit.
Telephone: 01621 740328
email: admin.christchurch@dcvst.org
