Welcome to Our

Schools Admissions Page

We follow the Essex County Council Procedures on School 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

If you are moving into the area, you will be considering carefully which school to choose for your child. If you would like an appointment to view the school please telephone the school office for an appointment with our a member of our senior leadership team.

Applying for a mid-year place at our school

All mid-year applications should be made directly to the school, using the mid-year application form below or via the school office. Mid-year applications (sometimes called in-year applications) are any application for a school place made to a year group, apart from September admissions to Reception in Primary Schools. 

For applications into existing year groups, a place will be offered when the number of pupils in the relevant year group is below the admission number for that year group.

Please note: if a mid-year application is received during a school holiday period, we will respond as soon as possible when the school reopens.

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

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 staff at the start of the Autumn Term

Admission to Runwell Primary School

Where the number of applications for admission is greater than the published admissions number, applications will be considered against the criteria set out below. The criteria will be applied in the order in which they are set out below:

1. Looked After Children and previously Looked After Children.
2. Exceptional medical circumstances (supported by evidence) or special personal circumstances relating to the child which necessitate attendance at Runwell Community Primary School (supporting written evidence will be required from a professional e.g. social worker).
3. Children living in the priority admission area of the school with a sibling attending the school at the time of application and admission;
4. Children living in the priority admission area of the school;
5. Children attending Runwell Community Primary School’s nursery who are in receipt of pupil premium funding.(SIF form required)
6. Children living outside the priority admission area of the school with a sibling attending the school at the time of application and admission;
7. Remaining applications.

A child with an Educational Health and Care Plan that names Runwell Community Primary School will be admitted irrespective of the admissions criteria.

In the event of oversubscription within any of the above criteria, priority will be determined by straight line distance from home to school, those living closest being given the highest priority. In the unlikely event of two or more applicants with an identical distance competing for a single place at a school the place will be offered to one applicant on the basis of lots drawn by a member if the trust.