Choosing the right school for your child is a big decision for any family. Whether you are about to send your child to school for the first time, or moving into the area with older children, you are always welcome to come and have a look around our school. Please call or email to office to plan a visit. Please see below for our 'Guide for children starting in Reception'.
 

Transition to school in the Reception year

It is very important that your child feels happy and confident when they start school. In order to provide a smooth transition we aim to offer:

• transition visits during June and July,
• early parents’ meetings to get to know you and your child
• A phased induction in September.
   

The key to successful induction is good communication between home and school and this ensures we are able to be flexible in our approach and respond to individual needs. Children generally join us at the beginning of the Reception year but we have new starters at any time too.

Can my child start part-time?
You are welcome to start your Reception child at school part time, if you feel they are not yet ready for full-time attendance.   However, we will expect attendance for the 5 mornings a week: 9.00 – 12.30.   We are more flexible with afternoon attendance which can be varied from week to week - for instance your child may stay for 3 afternoons one week, 2 the next and none on the third.  This flexibility continues and is very much within your control until your child is 5 years old, when full-time attendance is expected.  In practice we find nearly all of our children have insisted on full-time before that as they don't want to miss out on all they fun they have at school.   

If you have been offered a place for your child to start school in September we will assume that they will be starting full time unless you have contacted the Headteacher to discuss other arrangements. Please contact the school office on 01364 652343 to arrange an appointment with Miss Docking if you wish to discuss any aspect of admissions.

How to apply for a place.

All applications are managed by Devon County Council's Admission Team. If there are enough places then everyone who applies will be offered a place. We have arrangements in place in case we are over-subscribed, with criteria to prioritise applications if necessary.

All schools have a limited number of places they can offer in Reception for new children joining the school - this is called the Published Admission Number (or PAN). For us, this has been set at 30. If we receive fewer applications than the number of places available, then places can be offered to everyone who wants one. Only where we are over-subscribed with more applications for places than we have available, do we work with Devon using the over-subscription criteria in the admissions policy for the academic year. Please see below, the admissions Appeals TImetable below. 

The Admissions Appeals Timetable 2025

The deadline for submitting appeals allows appellants at least 20 school days to prepare and submit a written appeal. The appeal must then be heard within 40 school days for the normal round and within 30 days for in-year admissions.

Allocation date for the normal round Reception: 16 April 2024

Deadline for appeal forms to be submitted: 31 May 2024

Appeals will be heard within 40 school days, by: 26 July 2024

Where possible, appeals that are submitted after 31 May will be heard by 26 July. If that is not possible, they will be heard within 30 school days of the appeal form being submitted.

Allocation date for the normal round new Year 7: 1 March 2024

Deadline for appeal forms to be submitted: 22 April 2024

Appeals will be heard within 40 school days, by: 26 June 2024

Where possible, appeals that are submitted after 22 April will be heard by 26 June. If that is not possible, they will be heard within 30 school days of the appeal form being submitted.

In-year appeals can be submitted after a refusal. They will be heard within 30 school days of an appeal being submitted.

The Admissions Appeals Timetable 2026

The deadline for submitting appeals allows appellants at least 20 school days to prepare and submit a written appeal. The appeal must then be heard within 40 school days for the normal round and within 30 days for in-year admissions.

Allocation date for the normal round Reception: 16 April 2025

Deadline for appeal forms to be submitted: 31 May 2025

Appeals will be heard within 40 school days, by: 25 July 2025

Where possible, appeals that are submitted after 31 May will be heard by 25 July. If that is not possible, they will be heard within 30 school days of the appeal form being submitted.

In-year appeals can be submitted after a refusal. They will be heard within 30 school days of an appeal being submitted.

Further information regarding the over-subscription criteria can be found using the links shown below. There are no selection tests and students of all talents and abilities are welcome, providing we can accommodate their needs.

“The First Step” booklet explains the admission arrangements for infant and primary schools and is published by Devon County Council. It is available online and in paper format from The School Admissions Team, County Hall, Topsham Road, Exeter EX4 2QG. Devon's education helpline is 0845 155 1019. Further information and information leaflets are available online from www.devon.gov.uk/admissions   

School Admissions Online

You can apply from home 24 hours a day, seven days a week for a place in our new Reception intake - it’s quick and easy to use and there is no risk that your application will be lost in the post. You can apply for an Infant or Primary School place by clicking on www.devon.gov.uk/admissionsonline 

In-Year Admissions

A number of our children join the school after the beginning of the Reception year as a result of transferring schools or moving into the area. Parents of such children are encouraged to make an appointment in advance if possible to visit the school. Parents must then apply via Devon admissions online: 

 https://new.devon.gov.uk/educationandfamilies/school-information/apply-for-a-school-place/apply-for-an-in-year-place/ or phone Devon to ask for a paper form. 

The same criteria will be used if we need to prioritise applications for a place at the school outside of the normal Reception admissions round. 

If your child is successful in securing a place they will be given buddies to look after them when they join us. We also encourage your child to visit our school before they start and if possible to have some taster sessions where they stay for a morning or afternoon.  

The designated area or catchment area map for our school can be found by following: www.devon.gov.uk/schoolareamaps  

Policy documents

You can view our admissions arrangement documents at  www.devon.gov.uk/admissionarrangements