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.

Applying for a Year of Entry primary school place

The application process for entry to schools in September 2012 is now closed.

If your child requires a primary / junior school place (Year R and Year 3) for September 2012 and you have not completed an application, or you wish to discuss making changes to a completed application, please contact the Admissions and Transport department on 01622 696565 before 27 January 2012.

If you are applying for a Reception or Year 3 place for September 2012 after 27 January, but before 31 July, you should print the appropriate form off by clicking a link below and send it to: Primary Admissions, Admissions and Transport Team, Room 2.24, Sessions House, County Hall, Maidstone ME14 1XQ.

Repton Manor Primary School and Tiger Primary School

The application arrangements for the following schools are slightly different.

Finding out which school you have been offered

Parents applying for primary school places in September 2012 will find out which school their child has been offered on 30 March 2012.

If you completed your application online you can:

  • view your offer using the online application system (after 5pm).
  • check your e-mails from 4pm. (Please note offer e-mails will be sent at 4pm and may not be received until later).

All applicants will be sent a letter on 30 March 2012 confirming which school they have been offered.

Find out what to do if you are not offered a place at the primary school you want

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
.