Admissions

As we are a Community School, the criteria for admission are laid down by the Local Authority and can be viewed on Kent County Council (KCC) school admissions website. The school follows the KCC criteria for admission and over-subscription.

We are a 2/3 form entry school with a Published Admission Number (PAN) of 75. The PAN is the number of pupils in each year group that the admission authority has agreed will be admitted without causing problems for the School.

When considering a school for your child, you want to make an informed decision.

Our website will give you a taste of what life is like at Staplehurst School.

To see the school for yourselves:-

• if your child is reception age we offer open sessions during October and November each year. 
• if you are considering transferring their child from another school, we welcome the opportunity to show you and your children around at a prearranged time.  Please contact the school office.

In Year Admissions

If your child is already at school and you wish to transfer your child to Staplehurst School please complete the expression of interest form. You are welcome to contact the Staplehurst School to check if space/s are available, or to arrange an appointment to view the school.

If you wish to proceed with the application, you will need to apply for the place by completing an ‘In Year Admission Form’ (IYAF).  You must then return it to the school office.

As there is no guarantee that we will have a space available for your child, you should not remove them from their current school before you are sure they have somewhere else to go. A IYAF must be completed for each child requiring a school place.

If a space is available, you will receive an offer letter within 10 days, if no space is available, you have the option to place your child on the waiting list.

If you have any questions about the process please contact the school on 01580 891765 or contact Kent County Admissions on 03000 412121.

Reception September 2025 Admissions

Applications for entry to the school in September 2025 open on Tuesday 5th November 2024 and close on 15th January 2025.

If your child is due to start school in September 2025, you will need to apply for a place via Kent County Council  https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/school-places/primary-school-places#tab-2

If your child attends a local nursery school you should receive information on how to apply via them.  If not, you can contact Kent County Council Admissions on 03000 414121, or alternatively you can download the Reception Common Application Form from their website www.kent.gov.uk.

Applications are processed between 6th November 2024 and 16th April 2025.

Kent County Council will email parents' and carers' on Wednesday 16th April 2025 after 4pm to inform which school has been offered. If your application is made by post, your offer will be posted 1st class to you.

You will need to accept/decline any offer directly to the school.

Appeal a school offer

If your child is due to start school in September 2025, you can appeal if you are refused a place at one of your preferred schools on National Offer Day ( 17th April 2025)

Any appeal MUST be submitted by 20th May 2025 for it to be considered by 22nd July 2025. Any appeals received after this date will be heard within 40 school days from the deadline.

You can appeal online at https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/school-places/appeal-a-school-offer

A process of an appeal hearing followed by a decision will then take place. Full information can be found on the link above.