Most children at Whitchurch start school full-time in the September after their fourth birthday. This means they’ll turn 5 during their first school year.
Your child must start full-time education once they reach compulsory school age. This is on 31 December, 31 March or 31 August following their fifth birthday – whichever comes first. If your child’s fifth birthday is on one of those dates then they reach compulsory school age on that date.
For example, if your child reaches compulsory school age on 31 March, they must start full-time education at the beginning of the next term (summer term that year).
If you do not think your child is ready to start school at the usual time, they can defer* their start – as long as they’re in full-time education by the time they reach ‘compulsory school age’.
*This refers to a situation where a child secures a school place in his or her normal age group but does not take up that place until later in that school year.
They can start:
- part time
- part-way through the year
You’ll still need to apply for a school place at the same time as everyone else. You request your child’s later start when you apply.
Parents of children born between 1st April and 31st August (summer born) can request that their application is delayed* a year. There is no legal barrier to children being admitted outside their normal year group, but it is relatively uncommon.
*This term describes a summer born child who starts school at compulsory school age (5), whether this is in Year 1 or reception.
Summer born children do not need to start school until the September after their 5th birthday, a full year after they could first have started school. The guidance sets out some of the issues to consider in deciding whether to delay your child’s start at school and how to make a request that your summer born child starts reception age 5.
DfE Document : Summer Born Children Starting School: Advice for parents
Most children thrive when starting school at age 4. Nonetheless, there are some children, particularly those with developmental delays or medical conditions delaying their school readiness, who would benefit from a delayed start to school. If you are considering delaying your summer born child’s start at school, you should consider the implications of a delayed start to reception class set out in Important considerations and you should discuss your child’s situation with relevant professionals. These discussions should ideally take place ahead of when you would normally be expected to apply for a place for your child in reception.
Children in Willow Class ( the foundation class) follow the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum just as they would if they continued in Pre-School. This curriculum enables children to learn in practical ways through: structured play; activities which are pupil-initiated; activities which are teacher-initiated; and others which are teacher-led. Pupils have a daily numeracy and phonics input. During the summer term before the children start, we have a step sessions where children get a feel for what it is like in Willow Class so that they are happy and comfortable when they actually start. We also have a transition meeting for parents. This means that it is quite unusual for children to feel unhappy or distressed when starting school.
Visits Parents who are considering children for admission at school are invited to contact the school office who will be pleased to arrange a tour of the school with the headteacher. Visits can also be arranged for children entering the school after the age of five.
Admissions are administered centrally by the OCC admissions team – www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/admissions
They liaise closely with schools so they know about their current class sizes and structures. Their website explains clearly how the admission procedure works. Admission forms must be returned by January for admission in the following September. Where the number of requests for admission to a school goes over the number they can take (the standard number), published criteria are applied to decide which children are offered places. Some children may be offered a place at a school which was given as the second or third choice. Whitchurch’s standard number is 20. When an application is unsuccessful, there is a right of appeal. This process is explained in the section ‘Appealing for a school place’ on the OCC Admissions page.
The catchment area of the school covers Whitchurch on Thames and Whitchurch Hill , although children outside the catchment area may be admitted if places are available. For further clarification please contact Oxfordshire County Council Admission Department.
When children leave Whitchurch Primary School at the end of Year 6, they generally transfer to Langtree in Woodcote. Past pupils have also moved onto Reading Boys, Kendrick, The Downs, Abingdon, Queen Anns, St Andrews and Pangbourne College. Parents who are interested in entrance exams can visit the following website for more information:
For more information regarding entry exams Click here
For Specific School in Reading Click here
