Admissions

Oakfield Primary School serves residents on The Wick. The school shares its priority admissions area with neighbouring Abacus Primary School.  Parents/carers should apply for a place for their child at primary or secondary school level online at: www.essex.gov.uk/admissions

Before applying for a school place parents / carers are advised to:

• Obtain a copy of the Primary Education in Essex (Basildon District) booklet which contains information about applying for a school place and the processes and timescales involved. A copy can be obtained online at www.essex.gov.uk
• Check whether their address is located in the priority admissions area.
• Investigate and consider applying for other schools as well as Oakfield as this will increase the chances of gaining a place at a preferred school, should your application for Oakfield be unsuccessful. You can rank the schools in your order of preference on the application form.

Most importantly, ‘It is the responsibility of parents to apply for a school place at the correct times. You will not receive any letters from Essex County Council to inform you that you must apply for your child’s school place.’

The school will admit up to 60 children into Reception.

In the event of over-subscription, places will be allocated using the following criteria in the order given:

• Looked After Children and previously looked after children (as defined in the Primary Education in Essex booklet);
• Children with a sibling attending the school;
• Children living in the priority admission area;
• remaining applications.

In the event of over-subscription within any of the above criteria, priority will be determined by straight line distance from home to school, those living closest being given the highest priority.

Deferring or Delaying Entry into Reception

Legally, children must start school the term after they are 5. If you would like to delay or defer your child's entry into school, you must write a letter to the Headteacher, Mrs Cooney, stating your child's date of birth and your rationale for requesting a deferral or delay to starting reception. If your child is classed as 'summer born' (1st April - 31st August) and you believe that it would be beneficial for your child to start school the academic year when they turn 5, then you can request this via a letter/email to Mrs Cooney. All requests to defer or delay entry into reception are made in conjunction with the local authority. When a decision has been reached, a formal letter will be issued. Please note, an agreement by the Headteacher to delay or defer entry does not guarantee you a place at Oakfield Primary School. For further information please refer to: Summer born children starting school: advice for parents - GOV.UK