Alderman Payne Primary School
Admissions
Children start at the school in September of the academic year in which they reach their fifth birthday and leave in July following their eleventh birthday. The academic year starts in September which is when children new to school or moving phase will start at their new school. There are three types of school admission.
- Starting school in Reception
- In year transfer - moving school at some point before Secondary school starts
- Moving phase - for us, as a full primary, this is when children move on to secondary school.
Our school does not manage our own admissions. Applications must be made through the local authority who allocate places according to admission criteria.
Our catchment largely comprises the village of Parson Drove and its surrounding area. Places may be allocated to children not living in the catchment area depending on other applications made.
Admissions and Transfer Policy
The local authority is responsible for school admissions. To find out more about the process please visit the local authority website
Primary school admissions - September 2026 | Cambridgeshire County Council
Visiting in advance of applying for a school
Choosing your child's school is an important step and we would always advise that you visit the school prior to applying. This will enable you to meet the staff and the children. It will also give you the opportunity to ask any questions that you might have regarding the education of your child.
In the Autumn term, we have scheduled tour dates for the September Reception intake. This involves looking around the school and hearing about what we offer. We encourage parents to book on to these sessions, but other appointments may be made subject to availability. Please telephone the school to arrange a visit. Our office manager will be happy to arrange a convenient appointment.
For those applying for an in-year transfer, please contact the school to arrange for a chat or a visit.
Primary School Admissions
Children start at school in the September of the academic year in which they reach their fifth birthday. This means that we have children in the Reception class who have just turned four and others who are almost five. The teacher is experienced at supporting all children as they start their educational journey.
Our published admission number is 15 in each year group.
Key Dates
Applications for school are made in the academic year before they are due to start. The closing date for admissions for a reception place is in January. Parents/Carers are however encouraged to register as early as possible. Late applications are considered after other allocations have been made.
Children starting school in September 2027 will be born between 1st September 2022 and 31st August 2023. Applications must be submitted by January 2027.
Allocations are announced in April, though late applications and any changes can still occur. School transition arrangements start from May/June once lists have been finalised.
Oversubscription Criteria for Community and Voluntary Controlled schools
f there are more applicants than places the local authority will consider a range of criteria.
Children who have a Statement of Special Educational Need (SEN) / Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) that names the school will be admitted. NB. Those children with a statement of SEN / EHCP that does not name the school will be referred to the Statutory Assessment Team (SAT) to determine an appropriate place.
1. Children in Care (CIC) and Children who were previously in care (CIC) but ceased to be so by reason of adoption, a residence order (now known as a child arrangement order) or special guardianship order ;
2. Children who appear to have been in state care outside of England and ceases to be in state care as a result of being adopted.
3. Children living in the catchment area with a sibling at the school (or partner infant/junior school) at the time of admission;
4. Children living in the catchment area;
5. Children living outside the catchment area who have a sibling at the school (or partner infant/junior school) at the time of admission;
6. Children of members of staff, providing that they have been employed for a minimum of two years and/or are recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skills shortage.
7. Children who live outside the catchment area, but nearest the school as measured by a straight line.
In cases of equal merit in each set of criteria, priority will go to children living nearest the school as measured by a straight line.
How we work with families
You will receive notification of your child's place in April. Shortly after this, we will be in touch with all families of children offered a place at our school to discuss information evenings, transition events and registration with the school. If you are not admitted to the school and wish to gain a place, you can contact the Local Authority to appeal the decision.
It is important to us that children come to school happy and willingly. We will work closely with you to ensure that your child's transition is as smooth as possible. We will have opportunities to meet with nursery settings and families to discuss needs and there will be opportunities for your child to come into school in the Summer Term. Staff will conduct a home visit so that we can meet the children in their own environment too.
In Year Transfer
Occasionally children transfer during their primary education. If you are looking for your child to change school and join Alderman Payne Primary during the school year, or at the beginning of a year other than reception, this is called an 'in year application'. You can find out more information about this here.
Once again, please come and visit before you decide so that you can meet staff and ask any questions that you might have regarding the education of your child. It is a good idea for your child to visit too. As the move will involve joining an existing class, there may not be a space available. The local authority is responsible for in year admissions. They will advise if a place is offered and what to do if the school does not currently have a space available. School is unable to offer a place directly, all applications must be made through the Local Authority.
If your child has an EHCP, a transfer to a new school must be actioned through your EHCP Caseworker.
We maintain links with all of the primary schools in the Wisbech area to make the transfer as smooth as possible. We will also work closely with any other school that a child might be moving to, for example where a family moves out of the area. Sharing information about the new school as early as possible, helps us to support the transition.
Secondary Placements
In the September following their eleventh birthday, the children will transfer to Secondary school.
Applications should be made before the end of October when children are in Year 6. Applications after this date are considered 'late'. Children from Alderman Payne Primary transfer to a variety of secondary schools according to parental preference.
We make the transfer as easy as possible for all our children, encouraging visits and visitors from all the secondary schools in the area. Pupils have transition days at their new schools which positively support their transition.
Some pupils move on to grammar schools which require the pupil to sit the 11+ tests. Alderman Payne supports our pupils who need additional time release for these entry requirements, but encourage families to avoid term time absence as much as possible where there may be alternative options.