Primary school places

Primary school classroomWhen your child is three or four years old, you will need to start thinking about which primary school you would like your child to go to.

How old your child should be when they start school

By law, children have to start school by the beginning of the school term after their fifth birthday (this is when they reach compulsory school age). However, you may want your child to start earlier than that. All our schools will take children from four years old.

A school year runs from September in one calendar year to August in the next, so children who will reach compulsory school age during the school year 2012/2013 are those born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008.

Finding a primary school

The primary school admissions booklet has been produced to help you apply for a place for your child in a local primary school.

You can find out more about schools in your area by telephoning the schools you are interested in (these can be found on our schools database). Many of our schools have brochures or websites. You may also be able to arrange to visit the school for a tour.

If you have a question about primary admissions that is not answered on these pages or in our booklet, please contact us. 

Primary/Junior school applications from 3 May to 9 July 2012

If you are unhappy with the school your child has been allocated and wish to apply for a place at another school you can do this by completing a Primary/Junior Extended Preference Form (PDF, 11k). You should send this form directly to the school you are applying for and the school will let you know whether they can offer you a place. Please contact the Admissions Team if you would like a form sent to you.

If you have not already made an application through Kent’s Primary/Junior Transfer Process because, for example, you have recently moved to Kent, you can apply for a school place by completing a Late Primary Application Form (PDF, 33k) or Late Junior Application Form (PDF, 37k). You should send this form to:

Admissions Team
Kent County Council
Sessions House
County Hall
Maidstone
Kent, ME14 1XQ

We will contact schools on your behalf and let you know the outcome of your application.  Please contact the Admissions Team if you would like a form sent to you.

Non Kent residents must contact their home authority about making a late application or extending their secondary school preferences.

All parents can appeal to the Independent Appeal Panel for a place at a school their child has been turned down for. For more information about the process and a copy of the appeals form, please view Primary School Admission Appeals – A Guide For Parents.

Repton Manor Primary School and Tiger Primary School
The application arrangements for the following schools are slightly different:

Applying for an In Year admission

If your child is already at school and you wish to apply for a school place outside the year of entry (for example, a year 1 or 2 place) please refer to our In Year admission page for information.

Registering your interest with primary schools

If your child isn't old enough to start school yet, you may register an interest at any school you want by contacting the school office. When your child is old enough, the school will get in touch with you so that you can collect a booklet and admissions form for that year.

Registering an interest at a school does not give your child priority for a place just because their name has been down longer than any other child.

Contact us

Admissions and Transport Team
Room 2.24, Sessions House
County Hall
Maidstone ME14 1XQ

Telephone 01622 696565
Fax: 01622 696665
Envelope kent.admissions@
kent.gov.uk

For online admissions queries:
Envelope kentonlineadmissions@
kent.gov.uk
.