Admission arrangements for Foundation Stage 1
Foundation Stage 1 - 26 part time places- apply via the School Office. Telephone: 0151-625-5561 for information or email schooloffice@westkirby-primary.wirral.sch.uk for an application form.
Admission Policy for Foundation Stage 1
Currently, all 3-4 year olds (F1 pupils- who will all turn 4 during the coming academic year) are entitled to 15 hours per week of education in term time. Some two year olds are also eligible but we do not offer this provision at West Kirby Primary School as we do not have the space or facilities to do so.
Since September 2017, the Government has offered funded places for 3-4 year olds (F1) for 30 hours per week for working parents within a specified income bracket. Our Policy has been revised to take this change in to account and enable us to offer 30 hour provision.
We adhere to the principles of the Local Authority Admissions Policy for Early Years Centres and Nursery Classes in Community & Voluntary Aided Schools which states that if there are not enough places for all who apply by the closing date (28th February for our school):
• The Governing Body will give priority to children who will become four during the coming academic year and offer 15 hours to all initially.
• If insufficient places, first priority will be given to Looked After Children and children with a particular medical reason for selecting the school.
• Second priority will be given to those living within the catchment area of the school
• Third priority will be given to those living closest to the school.
If there are places left after all coming four year olds have been offered a 15 hour place, the Governing Body will offer 30 hour places to children who will become 4 during the coming academic year and who are eligible for 30 hour funding. If there are still places left after all eligible coming 4 year olds have been offered a Government funded place, the Governing Body may be able to offer additional sessions to purchase for coming 4 year olds with 15 hour places. If there are still places left, the Governing Body may be able to offer places to children in the term after they turn 3 according to the priority order below:-
• Looked After Children and/ or Children with Special Educational Needs identified through a statutory assessment
• Children whose parents receive Income Support, Income based Jobseeker’s allowance, Disability Living Allowance or Working tax Credit.
• Children whose birthday falls between 1st September and 31st December • Children whose birthday falls between 1st January and 31st March
• Children whose birthday falls between 1st April and 31st August
If priorities have to be decided within any of these categories, the Governing Body will give priority to those children who live closest to the school.
Late applications for F1: Applications received after the 28th February closing date for coming 4 year olds will be considered only if there are places remaining after all on time applicants have been considered for this age group.
Applications received after the same 28th February closing date for coming 3 year olds will be considered only if there are places remaining after all applications for coming 4 year olds and all on time applicants have been considered for coming 3 year olds.
IMPORTANT: Please note that a place in our F1 Class this does not guarantee a place in our F2 Class. You must apply for F2 places via the Local Authority who manage admissions and allocate places for F2 across Wirral, following the procedure set out under the Admissions Policy for School Entry at F2 which is available under the School Information tab on our school website or via the School Office.
Admission arrangements for Foundation Stage 2
F2/ Reception class - 37 full time places - apply for places for September via the Local Authority. Application forms are available online using the link below:
www.wirral.gov.uk/schooladmissions
or you can request a form by calling 0151-606-2020 during office hours.
Paper application forms should be returned to the address below to arrive by 15th January
Dept of Education/ Admissions
Hamilton Building
Conway Street
Birkenhead CH41 4FD
Note: The closing date for admission applications to F2 for September 2024 is 15th January 2024. Late applicants - applications received after 15th January will be considered after places have been offered to parents who applied on time.
Offers to parents will be sent out in April 2024.
Admission Policy for Foundation Stage 2
We adhere to the Local Authority Admissions Policy for Community Schools which states that applications submitted by January 15th 2024 will be considered first and places allocated up to the admission number of the school and in accordance with the following criteria:
• Looked After Children and previously Looked After Children
• “In zone” children with siblings at the school on the start date
• “In zone” children with a valid medical reason
• “In zone” children living closest to the school
If children live outside the catchment area and places are still available, they will be allocated according to the following criteria:
• Children with older siblings at the school on the start date
• Children with a valid medical reason
• Children living closest to the school
The local Authority measures distance from home to the nearest school pedestrian gate using a computerised mapping system using the shortest road route unless it is possible to use a footpath considered to be a safe walking route (routes without pavements or street lighting are not considered safe).
Admission arrangements in Year 1 or above
Our Admission Number for every year group from F2-Year 6 is 37. If transferring between schools always speak with the current Headteacher first to explain your reasons for applying for a transfer. The current Headteacher will speak with the Headteacher of the receiving school before the arrangements are made. Request a Common Admission Form (or Transfer request form) from any Wirral primary School or One Stop Shop or by calling the Local Authority on 0151-606-2020 during office hours. This should be completed and returned to the Local Authority Admissions Office at the address below:-
Dept of Education/ Admissions
Hamilton Building
Conway Street
Birkenhead CH41 4FD
Your child will be offered a place in the school of your choice as long as there is room in the Year Group (37 places) and that this does not take the class size over 30 in Key Stage 1 (Year 1 and Year 2)
Catchment Area Finder
This facility is available on the Local Authority School Admissions website Click here
Enter your street name to find out which are your zoned schools (Community and Voluntary Aided or Controlled)
We look forward to welcoming you and your child to our school. We are happy to show prospective parents around the school during the daytime so you can see us in action before making a decision. Please contact the School Office for an appointment.
For more information for parents about Primary Education in Wirral, click on the link below
www.wirral.gov.uk/schooladmissions
If your child is not allocated a place at the school of your choice, you may appeal against the decision. Appeals are heard by an Independent Appeal Panel and this decision is final.
For more information about the Appeal Procedure please follow the link below
www.wirral.gov.uk/schooladmissions