Admissions Statement Arrangements 2026-27

Admissions statement 2026-27

Choosing the right school for your child is an important decision. At Lunsford Primary School, we welcome families to visit us, find out more about our school community and experience our learning environment.

We encourage parents and carers to explore our website and contact us if they have any questions about joining our school.

Visiting Lunsford Primary School

We hold Open Days each November for families whose children are due to start Reception the following September. Details of dates and times will be shared on our website and social media channels nearer the time.

We also welcome visits throughout the year. If you would like to arrange a tour of the school, please contact the school office and we will be happy to arrange an appointment.

Applying for a Reception Place

Applications for children starting school for the first time are managed by Kent County Council.

Full information about the application process, key dates and guidance can be found on the Kent County Council admissions website.

As a Community School, Lunsford Primary School follows the admissions arrangements determined by Kent County Council.

In-Year Admissions

If you are looking for a school place for your child during the academic year or in a year group other than Reception, please contact the school office.

We will be happy to advise you about current availability and the in-year admissions process.

In Year Admissions Form

KCC - In-Year Admission Form

Oversubscription Criteria

If the number of applications exceeds the number of available places, places are allocated in accordance with Kent County Council’s published admissions criteria.

The main criteria include:

1. Children in Local Authority Care (Looked After Children) and previously Looked After Children.
2. Children with exceptional medical, health, social or special access needs where evidence demonstrates that a particular school is required to meet those needs.
3. Distance from the child’s home address to the school, measured using Kent County Council’s approved distance calculation.

Full details, including definitions, evidence requirements and all admission criteria, are available through Kent County Council.

Waiting Lists

Where a year group is full, waiting lists will be maintained in accordance with Kent County Council’s admissions arrangements.

Places on the waiting list are ranked according to the published oversubscription criteria and not by the date the application was added.

Delayed Entry and Part-Time Reception Attendance

Children are entitled to a full-time Reception place from September following their fourth birthday.

Parents may choose to:

• Delay their child’s start in Reception within the limits set by legislation.
• Request part-time attendance until their child reaches compulsory school age.

Further information and guidance are available from Kent County Council.

Requests for Admission Outside the Normal Age Group

Parents wishing to request admission outside their child’s normal age group should contact the Headteacher as early as possible during the admissions process.

Each request will be considered individually in line with the School Admissions Code and Kent County Council guidance.

Parents should still submit an application for their child’s normal age group in case the request is not agreed.

Further Information

For full admissions arrangements, application deadlines and guidance, please refer to the Kent County Council admissions website and the documents below:

• Reception Admissions Information
• In-Year Admissions Information
• Admissions Policy

Further advice is available at http://www.kent.gov.uk/primaryadmissions

PAN

Admissions Arrangements – Reception Class The number of pupils admitted to the Reception class in each academic year is determined by agreement with the Local Authority and with regard to the school’s facilities. In line with our Published Admissions Number of 30, the admissions limit in the Reception Class for academic year 2026/27 is 30 pupils.

Waiting List

The school operates a waiting list for available places. The school's Waiting List will be re-ranked, in line with the published oversubscription criteria, every time a child is added. If a place becomes available, the school will work through the waiting list applying the over-subscription criteria. You should inform the school of any change in your circumstances, e.g. change of address, which might affect your position on the waiting list.

Appeals

If your child is due to start primary school in September 2026, you can appeal if you are refused a place at one of your preferred schools on National Offer Day (Thursday 16 April 2026).

You must submit your appeal before Monday 18 May 2026 for it to be considered by Monday 20 July 2026. Any appeals received after this time will be heard within 40 school days from the deadline, or where reasonably possible in line with updated guidance from the Department for Education.

For late applications, appeals should be heard within 40 school days from the deadline for lodging appeals where possible, or within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged where reasonably possible in line with updated guidance from the Department for Education.

For any appeals being lodged, read the full copy of our privacy notice outlining your rights in relation to your personal data.

• ADMISSION APPEALS - WEBSITE LINK