Admissions - General Information

"Children make a good start in the Early Years Foundation Stage, because teaching is good and sometimes outstanding, which has a direct impact on children's learning, motivation and engagement." - OFSTED, November 2008.

Castle Hill is a two form entry Community School.

You are most welcome to visit our school before applying for a place for your child, whether they are Nursery age, Reception age or older. Please contact the office if you wish to make an appointment and to find out more information about the school.

Nursery

Most of our children start at Castle Hill in the Nursery. This gives them a good foundation for future learning and an introduction to the main school. Our Nursery staff invite new parents and children in to visit before they start and also can arrange home visits to meet you and your child.

Click here for more information about applying for Admission to our Nursery (opens in new window).

Reception

We always prepare the children well for the transition from nursery to school through a programme of visits to their new classroom and teacher and from the new teacher and nursery nurse to the Nursery. We also provide preparatory visits for those children who do not attend our Nursery.

During the Summer term we hold an open evening for new Reception parents to provide information about the school and about the admission procedure to the Reception classes in September. The evening also offers an opportunity for parents to speak to the Reception teachers and meet with other staff and members of the school community.

In the Autumn Term of their Reception Year, we admit the children on a staggered basis over a period of several weeks. This gives each child time to settle in and have individual attention from the teacher. We try to admit the children in mixed age groups and in friendship groups.

Attendance for Reception Children on Admission to School:

Children born between 1st September and 31st December (inclusive) will attend school full time from the September of their Reception year.

Children born between 1st January and 31st August (inclusive) will attend school part-time in the Autumn Term (mornings only). They will attend school full time starting in the Spring Term of their Reception year.

Click here for more information about applying for Admission to our Reception Classes (opens in new window).

Admission to other year groups and classes.

"There is good support for those who join the school at a later stage, in particular those who have little or no spoken English" - OFSTED, November 2008. 

Please contact the School Office for advice.