The admissions process can be quite daunting. If you are wondering if Petham Primary School is the right school for your child, the best way to find out is to come and visit us.  We would love to meet you and would welcome the opportunity to show you around. 

We hold a series of open mornings in the Autumn term but we are also really flexible if you are unable to make these dates. Please telephone the School Office on 01227 700260, or email [email protected] to make an appointment with our Head of School or Executive Headteacher. 

If ever you have any questions regarding admissions and you are unable to find the answer below or if you just need reassurance, please call us! We are always happy to help.

To gain further insight into our small village school, please take a look at our Facebook page. We also have a school prospectus available to download below. 

Admissions Policy

The Board of Trustees are the admissions authority for all schools within the Academy.  For full details of our admissions policy criteria, please see our admissions policy below:

How to apply

Although we are an academy, the Local Authority manage the admissions process on our behalf.  Details on how to apply are in the Kent Guide to applying for a primary school in Kent

If you still have questions regarding admissions you can contact KCC Admissions team on 03000 41 21 21 or email [email protected]

When to apply

If your child was born between 1st September 2020 and 31st August 2021, you should be applying for a place in a Reception class in September 2025.

Legally a child reaches compulsory school age in the term following their fifth birthday; County policy is to encourage parents to enrol their children in Reception classes before this deadline. You need to apply on-line within a specific window each year (usually November to January prior to the September your child is due to start school). The Local Authority then allocate places at schools each year according to the published admissions criteria.

Admissions appeals

If you applied for a place a Petham but were not offered one, you have a right to appeal against the Local Authority’s decision. As well as appealing you can also add your name to the school held waiting list. by contacting the school office.

Accepting your school place

You will be notified by KCC in April prior to the September your child is due to start school. of your school offer. You should read the offer letter carefully and in particular adhere to dates for accepting/refusing an offer. 

Once you have accepted your offer to Petham, both you and your child will be invited to visit the school during the summer terms for transition sessions and information meetings, both in school time and after school, to help integrate your child and ensure that their start to school life goes smoothly.  

In year applications

If you are looking for a place in either Reception or years 1 to 6 for your child during the academic year you need to apply by completing an In Year Admission Form.  Once completed please return it to the school office. You are also welcome to call us to find out if we have any school places and if necessary be added to our school held waiting list.

Transfer at 11

Children leaving Petham to move to Secondary education go to a variety of schools. In their final year at primary school pupils can, if parents wish, undertake the selection test for a Grammar school place (11 plus or Kent Test).  Many of the secondary schools in our area have their own entrance tests or have specific criteria for admission, details of which can be obtained direct from the schools concerned. The schools also hold open days when your child is in year 5 giving you plenty of time to gather information before making your decisions.