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All primary schools aim to offer a broad education suited to the age and ability of each child and in line with the National Curriculum. Primary schools in Medway fall into the categories listed below and admission arrangements vary according to which category the schools fall within.
The council provides parents with a description of the process, details of each of the primary schools and information on how to make their preferences known in the 2009 Admission to Primary School Guide (pdf 587KB). To use this and the other pdf files on this page, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have it on your computer, please use our advice page.
The guide for 2010 will be available in October 2009.
The Co-ordinated Primary Admission Scheme (pdf 36KB) for primary schools sets out how to apply for a primary school place and the timetable for applying for and receiving an offer of a school place in 2010.
The admission arrangements for primary schools set out how many places are available at each of these schools and the way in which places will be allocated if there are more parents seeking a place than available places at a particular school – the over-subscription criteria.
Community and voluntary controlled primary schools
Medway Council is the admissions authority for the 68 community and seven voluntary controlled schools in Medway. The admissions arrangements and over-subscription criteria are the same for each of these schools: Community and Voluntary Controlled Primary Admissions Arrangements (pdf 54KB).
List of voluntary controlled schools
These schools, founded by voluntary bodies, are usually religious but are now maintained fully by the council, which is responsible for admissions:
- All Saints CE Primary School.
- St John’s CE Voluntary Controlled Infant School.
- St Helen’s CE Primary School.
- St Margaret’s at Troy Town CE Primary School.
- St Margaret’s CE Voluntary Controlled Junior School.
- St Nicholas’ CE VC Infant School.
- The Pilgrim School (Voluntary Controlled Church of England).
If you are applying for a place in one of these schools because of your religious beliefs, you should make this clear on the Primary Common Application Form (PCAF) by ticking the relevant box, otherwise you will have a lower priority.
Voluntary aided primary schools
The governing body of each voluntary aided primary school is the admissions authority. Each school has its own arrangements for 2010 admissions and these are set out below. Some schools will need a supplementary form to be completed.
The council is involved with these schools but the individual governing bodies have much greater powers. These powers include responsibility for admissions. If you are applying for a place in one of these schools, you should not only complete the section of the PCAF to indicate religious affiliation but also make a separate application to the school itself.
If you have included one or more a voluntary aided schools on your form, you should be aware that there are factors that will affect how your application will be ranked in accordance with the oversubscription criteria. Schools may seek answers to these questions:
- Is your child baptised Catholic or Church of England (as appropriate)?
- Is your child baptised under another Christian denomination?
- Is your child a member of another faith?
- Are you of no religious affiliation but wish your child to attend the school?
- What is your normal place of worship?
Primary education covers the age range of four to 11 years and is provided at the following:
- infant schools that take pupils aged four to seven years old;
- junior schools that take pupils aged seven to 11 years old;
- infant or junior schools (primary) that take pupils aged four to 11 years old.
Online admission
Applications for admission to primary school (Year R) or transfer to junior school (Year 3) in September 2009 have now closed.
Admission for September 2009
Reception class: age of admission
This is the year in which your child reaches compulsory school age. Children who have their fifth birthday between 1 September 2009 and 31 August 2010 should start at primary school in a reception class in the academic year beginning September 2009.
Some schools admit pupils into their reception classes at one point in the year, during September, while other schools admit at two points in the year, September and January. While some schools have one admission date and others two, parents should note that many schools take pupils, particularly younger children, on a part-time basis to begin with. The period for part-time attendance varies and individual schools should be contacted if further details are needed.
If you are offered a place for your child to start at any school in September 2009, you may defer that place until the start of the following term in January 2010 and your place will be held for you.
When listing schools on the PCAF, you are advised to check with the headteacher whether the school has been able to admit all applicants in the past. If you are applying for a school which is not the nearest and the school has been over-subscribed in the past, you would be wise to name an alternative school on your PCAF.
If your child has a birthday that falls during Terms 5 and 6 (1 April - 31 August) you can opt to miss the reception year entirely and instead ask for a place in the Year 1 group at the start of Term 1 in 2010. However, a place cannot be guaranteed for your child and may be offered to another child should the school be over-subscribed.
Junior schools
If your child is in an infant school (a school for four to seven year-olds) at the end of Year 2 (the end of Key Stage 1), they should transfer to a junior school. Most Medway infant schools are paired with a junior school. This means that your child will have priority for a place in a particular junior school, although you can opt for another school. An offer of a place at an alternative school will be dependent upon the places available.
The children affected this year will be those with a birthday between 1 September 2001 and 31 August 2002. Transfer will be at the start of the Term 1 in 2009. You will still need to complete a transfer form and return it to your first preference school.
Admission for September 2010
Reception class: age of admission
Children who have their fifth birthday between 1 September 2010 and 31 August 2011 should start at primary school in a reception class in the academic year beginning September 2010.
Junior schools
Children in infant school (a school for four to seven year-olds) with a birthday between 1 September 2002 and 31 August 2003 will transfer at the start of the Term 1 in 2010. You will still need to complete a transfer form and return it to your first preference school.
Casual admissions
Parents who are planning to or have just moved to Medway may need assistance in gaining school place(s) for their children.
Parents should contact the school they wish their child to attend and request a place. The school will usually offer a place immediately, if one is available. Where the school is unable to offer a place for a child in the appropriate year group, parents can choose for their child's name to be put on a waiting list. Parents have the right to a statutory appeal process should they be declined a place in a preferred school.
Parents requiring further advice should contact the council's Admissions Team.
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