Admissions

Children are normally admitted to school at the beginning of the school year in which they become 5 years old.  It is quite usual for a Reception Class to contain some children who became 5 years old just as they started school and some children who will not be 5 years old until they are almost ready to begin Year 1.

At Runwell Primary School all children are admitted at the beginning of the Autumn Term in the year in which they turn 5 years old.

Applications for admission to Runwell Primary School should be made through Essex County Council’s Planning and Admissions Department, preferably online.  For new Reception children there is an application window with published opening and closing dates.  All other applications for admission can be made at any time.

Mid-Year Admissions

With effect from 1st April 2022, parents will need to apply directly to own admission authority schools for a place mid-year.  This does not in any way affect the normal admission round applications for admission into Reception in the following September, or likewise admission into Year 3 of a junior school in the following September – the Council will continue to handle all of these applications.

If you would like to apply for a mid-year place at Runwell Primary School, please contact us on 01268 735329 or email admin@runwell.essex.sch.uk to request an application form.

Preparation for School

boy, girl, hand in hand

You are welcome to arrange a visit to the school at any time should you wish to do do.  Outside of this, there is a variety of activities and induction sessions prior to your child starting school.

  • Visits to view the school in action
  • Reception Class staff visits to local pre-schools and playgroups
  • Formal induction sessions in the Summer Term prior to admission, incorporating parent information and the opportunity for your child to spend time in school with Runwell staff
  • Home visits from Reception Class staffat the start of the Autumn Term

Admission to Runwell Primary School - September 2020

In the event of oversubscription within the following criteria, priority will be determined by straight line distance from home to school, those living closest being given the highest priority.

Where the comparison and calculation of distance is the same for more than one application, any remaining places will be randomly allocated.

Published Admission Number is currently 60.

  • Looked after children / children with an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP)
  • Children living in the priority admission area of the school with a sibling attending the school at the time of the application
  • Children living in the priority admission area of the school
  • Children attending Runwell Primary School's nursery
  • Children living outside the priority admission area of the school with a sibling attending the school at the time of application and admission
  • Remaining applications

Exceptional medical circumstances (supported by medical evidence) or special personal circumstances relating to the child which necessitate attendance at Runwell Primary School (supporting written evidence will be required from a professional, e.g. social worker) may override the admission conditions (other than Looked After Children and children with a Statement of Special Educational Needs) at the discretion of the School Admissions Committee..

To view our Admissions Policy and all other policies, please visit our Policies page.