Admissions...

The Local Education Authority has set up admissions criteria to support schools throughout the Authority. As school numbers have fluctuated during the past few years, we continually monitor the size of classes. Should the situation continue whereby we are oversubscribed the following criteria, in order of priority, will be implemented

1. Pupils who live in Hartwell.

2. Pupils with an older brother or sister continuing at the school at the time of admission of the younger child.

3. Pupils who have to travel furthest to their nearest alternative school.

Exceptionally, pupils with specific medical and social needs, supported by written evidence from an appropriate professional person(s) will be considered. Account will be taken of whether the needs related to the verified condition can only be met at the parents’ preferred school or at any school determined by the normal application criteria.

In Northamptonshire children start school in the September of the academic year in which they will be five years old.

At Hartwell, we encourage children to come to school full time from September. If parents or the school have concerns about full time attendance, these can be discussed and appropriate arrangements made.

The children enter school in small groups based on their date of birth.

In July, prior to starting school, we hold an "Induction Week" for our prospective reception children and their parents, which includes meeting the headteacher and class teacher and joining in classroom activities. Parents are encouraged to stay for the first visit. In addition, we hold a meeting for new parents in which the head teacher and class teacher give information on the Reception class and the Foundation Stage curriculum. Within this meeting there is an opportunity for questions and discussion.

In the Autumn term we hold “Lets Read” and “Lets write” workshops which give practical ideas for helping children through the stages of learning to read and write.