Children of primary school age wishing to join our school may be admitted throughout the year subject to available spaces and numbers on roll. If you wish your child to be registered, please contact the school office and they will advise you of the current application procedure. You are welcome to visit the school by prior arrangement.

Reception Admissions

Castor C of E Primary School admits pupils into the Reception class in the September of the year in which they are five. We aim to make their start to formal schooling enjoyable and positive. We plan the intake of new children so that they feel secure and confident in school. There is a very gentle introduction to school with a part-time phased approach. Children start by spending most of their time in their own classroom and outside learning area, then gradually move about and mix with the whole school.

Starting Procedure

Transition begins in the Summer Term before children start school. They are invited into school for 'Taster sessions' in small morning or afternoon groups so that they can begin to make friends and meet their teacher. They become familiar with their new classroom and also separate from parents. Children then begin school part-time for a minimum of two weeks. During the first week of term Reception teachers and teaching assistants like to visit the child at home. This allows the teacher and parents to talk in confidence and helps the child to know his/her teacher a little better.

Staffing

Our Reception class has a qualified teacher and a teaching assistant. All teachers and teaching assistants who teach in Foundation Stage are appropriately trained in Early Years Education.

Registering your Child

Parents/carers are welcome to look around school before coming to a final decision. We hold three tours around the school in the Autumn term, please ring the office to find out when these are.  If you then wish to register your child you can apply online using the Peterborough City Council website www.peterborough.gov.uk/admissions or you can apply by post by completing an application form. These can be obtained from the Council directly or from your local pre-school and/or nursery by the December prior to the Reception intake the following September. Parents will be notified in April stating which school your child has been allocated a place for starting school in September. Where there are spaces in other year groups, children of primary school age can be admitted at other times throughout the year. 

Allocation of places follows Peterborough City Council’s policy on admissions criteria for primary schools, along with the appeals process. Please look online at https://www.peterborough.gov.uk/residents/schools-and-education/school-admissions/school-admissions-appeals for mor information.