Prospective Parents

Applying for a Reception place for the Academic Year 2023-2024

Applications for starting school in September 2024

The Governing Body intends to admit 60 Reception pupils for classes at the start of each academic year.

The link below will give you guidance (provided by KCC) on applying to a school place:

Applications must be made online at Kent Primary School. Applications open in November (see below for key dates).

Key Dates

Interim Acting Head of School: Mr Andrew Bennett

Our Vision

We are a community where everyone is encouraged to their very best and aim high – a place where new activities can be attempted without a fear of failure but where excitement and ambition is encouraged. We have a supportive environment in which every individual is able to fulfil his or her potential.

There is strong co-operation between all our age groups and cultures – children and adults, all making connections and contributions through a mutual respect for one another. We are a warm, friendly, ‘family’ where people are welcomed and accepted; a place that people want to come to every day.

We have created a vibrant environment and atmosphere that inspires and motivates all who are part of it. A community that values not only academic achievement but also passions for sport and the creative arts, where children can learn to express themselves both physically and creatively.

Our vision is that our children will ultimately become adults who have a desire for life-long learning who will make a positive contribution to a society that is free from prejudice. Many will (and do) continue to be part of this school community for years to come; whether as Governors, or ultimately as parents themselves. We even have ex-pupils seeking to work here as support staff and teachers!

Our pupils look back on their time at Wrotham Road Primary School with affection and smile as they remember what a great time they had and how much they gained from being with us.

Home Visits

As part of the transition from pre-school settings into school, our Reception teachers carry out home visits before the child starts September (this may happen at the end of July or the start of September). This ensures the school has all the information we need before your child starts school and gives you the opportunity to ask us any questions you might have. We collect personal, medical and social information at these visits so please have your child’s red medical book at hand for the visit. The visit will last around 30 minutes.

Transition into School

In order to ensure a smooth and successful transition from your child’s pre-school setting to school, we are planning a series of transition days as well as a staggered start to school life. We strongly encourage all children to attend these sessions in order to make their start to school as easy and as happy as possible.

Following the home visits the children will start attending school as a phase start. This tried-and-tested method is extremely successful as it ensures the children are given the opportunity to familiarise themselves with all the new people and procedures at school at a fair and steady pace. After this period, the majority of children will be ready to join us full time. If a child isn’t quite ready yet, that isn’t a problem at all, we will work with the parents to discuss whether shorter days would help for a short period of time.

Snacks and Lunchtime Arrangements

The children are provided with a fruit or vegetable snack every day which can be enjoyed on our snack table. We encourage children to have their snack during the morning Exploring and Learning session and any fruit snacks left over from the morning can be enjoyed during the afternoon session.

Children are also entitled to free milk until they reach the age of 5. We will automatically sign your child up to receive the free milk up until they are 5. Close to their 5th birthday you will be contacted, by post, by Cool Milk to see if you would like your child to continue to enjoy milk at school or not. If you would there is a small cost paid on a termly basis direct to Cool Milk. Please inform your child’s class teacher if you do not wish for your child to be signed up for the free milk.

COOL MILK WEBSITE

Lunchtime for Reception children is 11.30am each day and the children eat altogether in the school hall. Children in Reception and KS1 are entitled to a free school meal. Children collect their own lunch from the dining hatch and always have a choice of at least two meal options. Bread is available to accompany their meal each day as well as a choice of salad from the salad bar.

At Wrotham Road Primary School we use the Read Write Inc (RWI) programme to get children off to a flying start with their literacy. RWI is a method of learning centred around letter sounds and phonics, and we use it to aid children in their reading and writing. Reading opens the door to learning. A child who reads a lot will become a good reader. A good reader will be able to read more challenging material. A child who reads challenging material is a child who will learn. The more a child learns, the more he or she will want to find out. Using RWI, the children learn to read effortlessly so that they can put all their energy into comprehending what they read. It also allows them to spell effortlessly so that they can put all their energy into composing what they write.