break
break

start of content

Finding a primary school place

break

In Newham, to give our children as good a start as possible, we provide reception class places before children turn five starting in September.

To make sure you apply on time, apply online www.eadmissions.org.uk





Reception class place application process


The 'Starting school: Your guide to Newham's nursery and primary education' (pdf) brochure is now available for information about all admissions including reception in September 2013 and how to apply.

For reception class admissions for September 2013, you can still name up to six school preferences.

Please be aware that all 33 London boroughs, together with eight councils bordering the capital, now work in partnership to coordinate admissions to their primary schools. If you are a Newham resident, this means you only need to apply to us even if you want to apply for a primary school place outside Newham.

If you plan to apply for an out-of-borough school, this will save you work as you will not have to apply for the other boroughs or schools separately. We will pass your information onto the other boroughs, but you must find out about those schools by contacting those boroughs and giving us the details of that school on the application form.

Voluntary aided schools will still make decisions on their own admissions, but Pupil Services will let the family know of the results. In some other boroughs, some foundation schools will also do the same.


Change of preferences


A Change of preferences form (Word doc.) is available if you have already submitted a PAN London Reception class application form for September 2013 and now want to change your preferences or the order of your preferences.

If this form is received by Pupil Services by 15 January 2013 - the PAN London closing date - these revised preferences will be considered as on-time. If they are received after this date they will be processed as late applications and your previous application will used as your on-time preferences.



How to apply for a reception class place for the academic year 2013/14


Children born from 1 September 2008 to 31 August 2009 are due to start in a reception class in September 2013.

If your child is due to start primary school in September 2013, there are several ways in which you'll be able to apply from 3 September 2012:

  • Apply for a school place online. This website also contains details of all the schools in and out of Newham that can be applied to.
  • Directly to a Newham primary school
  • By post


To apply at a Newham primary school or by post, you will need a Common Application Form (CAF) which will be available for collection from any Newham nursery, infant or primary school from September 2012, or by calling the Newham Contact Centre on 020 8430 2000.

We will not reserve your child a place at their catchment school, your child will only be considered for a place if you name your catchment school as one of your preferences. Even if you apply you are still not guaranteed a place at your catchment school, but your child will be considered for admission.

If you include a voluntary aided faith school into your list of preferences you must also complete a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) for each school that you select online or name on the Common Application Form (CAF), so their governing body can correctly determine your child's priority group. The form can be downloaded below, or is available for collection at any Newham voluntary aided faith school or by calling the Newham Contact Centre on 020 8430 2000 .

  • Newham Catholic Primary Schools: Supplementary Information Form (SIF) - coming soon
  • St. Luke's Church of England Primary School: Supplementary Information Form (SIF) - coming soon

The date for completion for reception classes for September 2013 is 15 January 2013.



Deadlines for 'on time' reception class applications 2013/14


We strongly recommend that you submit your application online as it is easier and you will receive an electronic receipt acknowledging your application.

Before applying, why not also read our list of checklist of important information for parents.

  • 15 January 2013 at 11.59pm: Deadline for applying online
  • 15 January 2013 at close of school/nursery office: Deadline for handing in your paper application to your child's Newham nursery or primary school
  • 15 January 2013 at 5pm: Deadline for the arrival of your paper application that you have posted to us
  • 15 January 2013 at close of school/nursery office - Deadline for the arrival of your Supplementary Information Form (SIF) at the school you have named on the form
  • 17 April 2013: Offer Day - applicants who applied online will receive an email during the evening informing you of your child's offer
  • 17 April 2013: Offer Day - reception class offer letters will be posted 1st class post to all applicants by their home borough
  • Applicants making paper applications will receive their letters at the earliest the day after offer day, but this is subject to the post being delivered on time.


If you are using the Royal Mail postal system rather than applying online or submitting your form via a Newham primary school, we recommend that you post early so that we receive it by the deadline. We can take no responsibility for forms that are not delivered to us by the deadline due to postal delays or other problems that may result in the form being lost in transit.

Applications received after the above deadlines will be processed as 'late' applications. If you apply after these deadlines you child will not be considered for a place at your preferred school until all the 'on time' applications have been considered. As most Newham schools places are filled with 'on time' applicants it is really important you meet the deadline.


How we offer places in Newham's primary schools (admissions criteria for September 2013)


For all schools that are over subscribed (this means they have more applicants than places available) the published admissions criteria is used to determine which child should be offered the places. The governing body of the voluntary aided faith school determine the offers using their admission criteria and Pupil Services determine the offers for all other schools.

Newham maintained schools


Non-maintained schools located in Newham

  • Chobham Academy admission criteria - coming soon
  • School 21 (Free school) admission criteria - coming soon


For schools outside Newham you will need to contact the borough that the school is in to find out how they offer their places.



In year school admissions from September 2012


'In year' admissions from September 2012 are now being processed in partnership with other London boroughs to make the application process easier for you. We will forward your application to their governing body using a secure website.

We aim to process your completed application within five working days of receipt. You will receive a letter from us within 20 days of receipt.


Which year group your child should be in


The table below will help you to work out what school year group your child should be in for the new school year which starts in September 2012.


Child's Dates of Birth (inclusive) Ages Year Group Key Stage
1 September 2001 - 31 August 2002 10/11 6 2
1 September 2002 - 31 August 2003 9/10 5 2
1 September 2003 - 31 August 2004 8/9 4 2
1 September 2004 - 31 August 2005 7/8 3 2
1 September 2005 - 31 August 2006 6/7 2 1
1 September 2006 - 31 August 2007 5/6 1 1
1 September 2007 - 31 August 2008 4/5 Reception 1


How to apply


'In Year' Common Application Form 2012/13 (CAF)


To apply for any state maintained schools (including academies and Free schools) you need to complete your home borough's Common Application Form (CAF). You must also complete the CAF form if you wish to apply for voluntary aided faith schools or schools outside of the borough.

Newham residents can obtain a copy of our 'In Year' admission Common Application Form (CAF) by calling us on 020 8430 2000 or downloading the form below.


Please remember you can only use the application form from the Local Authority where the child currently lives. If you are planning to move into Newham and/or you want your child to go to a school in Newham you must use your home borough's form and name Newham schools as your preferences. You cannot provide a future address


Supplementary Information Form 2012/13 (SIF)

To apply for a voluntary aided school you may need to complete a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) so their governing body can correctly determine your child's priority group.

Applicants can obtain a copy of the Supplementary Information Form (SIF) direct from the school, by calling us on 020 8430 2000 or by downloading the form from the list below.


How we offer 'in year' primary school places from September 2012


Newham maintained schools

break