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 2025 | Cambridgeshire County Council

Primary School Admissions

Children start at the school in September of the academic year in which they reach their fifth birthday and leave in the July following their eleventh 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 very used to working with this, and this is not an issue for the children. Our published admission number is 15 in each year group.

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.  Please telephone the school to arrange a visit. Our office manager will be happy to arrange a convenient appointment.  We are always happy to show you around so that you can see it for yourself.

Priority is given to the admission of children within the designated catchment area; this is determined by the Local Education Authority, but largely comprises the village of Parson Drove and its surrounding area.  Places will be allocated to children not living in the catchment area depending on other applications made. All places are allocated by the Local Authority.

Oversubscription Criteria for Community and Voluntary Controlled schools

If 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.

The closing date for admissions for a reception place is in January.  Parents/Carers are however encouraged to register as early as possible in the academic year before the child is due to enter. 

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.

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, 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.

In Year Transfer

Occasionally children transfer during their primary education. If you are looking tor 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.

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.