Admissions
Open Mornings
Attending an Open Event is a great way to find out more about our school.
About these events
We are delighted that you are considering St John’s CE Primary School for your child.
Choosing your child’s primary school is one of the most important decisions you face as parents and we want to make sure you have all the information you need.
You will have the opportunity to look around the School with your son or daughter and to meet staff and other prospective parents on an informal basis.
Our open mornings will take place on the following dates 09:30 - 11:00:
Monday 16th October 2023
Thursday 16th November 2023
Tuesday 5th December 2023
Tuesday 9th January 2024
Please book via Eventbrite:
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/open-morning-tickets-717693700177?aff=oddtdtcreator
The Local Authority (LA) is responsible for the control of admissions to the school and this will be coordinated by them using a common application form and timetable.
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). The local authority’s policy is to encourage schools to admit four year olds so that as many children as possible will have at least eight terms in Key Stage 1. The decision on whether or not to admit four year olds is made and reviewed annually by the Head of School and in consultation with the Governors.
The number of places available is determined by the physical capacity of the school and is called the ‘Agreed Admissions number’. Our published admissions number is 30. The LEA, in consultation with the Executive Head and Head of School, may set a higher figure for a particular year group. The law gives parents the right to state a preference for any school, but not automatic choice. If your preference is St John’s School, a place will be offered if there are vacancies. If the school is over-subscribed, the following criteria will be taken into account in the order listed below:
- Children in the care of Kent County Council.
- Current Family Association (sibling link)
- Health and Special Access Reasons
- Nearness of children’s homes and ease of access to schools ‘using the distance between the child’s permanent address and the school, measured in a straight line using ordnance survey address point data.
STARTING SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER 2024
Applications for transfer to primary school for September 2024 open on Friday 3 November 2023 and close on Monday 15 January 2024.
You can apply for up to 3 schools, putting them in order of preference. It’s in your best interest to list 3 schools. Naming only one school does not guarantee your child a place at that school or give your child priority for a place over another child. You are not able to name the same school more than once.
To apply to a school outside of Kent, name the school in your application along with your other preferences. Your application details will be passed on to the relevant local authority for processing. They can only be INFANT or PRIMARY schools. KCC cannot process applications for INDEPENDENT or SPECIAL schools. (If you wish to apply for those schools you will need to approach them directly.)
You can register for an account online, however applications will not open until 3 November 2023. https://kent.cloud.servelec-synergy.com/Synergy/Parents/default.aspx
If you need advice please email primaryadmissions@kent.gov.uk.
You can find out more about schools you are interested in before including them in your application. https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/school-places/choosing-a-school
Applications will close on 15 January 2024. KCC will process applications between 6 November and 16 April 2024.
If you apply online KCC will email you on 16 April 2024 after 4pm to tell you which school you have been offered.
You can also log in from 5pm on 16 April 2024 to view your offer parent-portal-login https://kent.cloud.servelec-synergy.com/Synergy/Parents/default.aspx .
When making an offer, KCC will ensure that:-
- A place will be offered at the highest available ranked preference your child is eligible for, or
- If a place cannot be offered at any school name on your application, a place will be offered at an alternative school
- If your child has a Statement of Special Educational Needs the KCC website has further information on how to apply.
The deadline for applications is 15 January 2024
Only one application per pupil will be accepted. If you apply online, do not complete a paper application as well.
SUMMER BORN CHILDREN
If your child was born between 1 April and 31 August and you want them to defer starting school until the next academic year, contact the team for more information at primaryadmissions@kent.gov.uk.
Further Information will be made available to parents on how applications should be made at kent.gov.uk/primaryadmissions. Parents are advised to talk to schools no later than 5 November 2021 to enable a decision to be made before the closing date of the round on 17 January 2022.
SPECIAL EDUCATIONAL NEEDS AND DISABILITIES CHILDREN
Most children with special educational needs and disabilities can attend mainstream schools, whether or not they have an EHCP. Find out more about applying for a school place for your SEND child.
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 year 2 place) please refer to KCC’s In Year Application page for information. Alternatively, download and complete the In Year Application Form (IYAF) here and return to the Office Manager, St John’s CEP School, Bayham Road, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 3XD or email a copy to office@stjohnssevenoaks.co.uk