Admissions Process 2025-26 and FAQs

Please watch this short video to give you a flavour of our school and learning environment.

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 Admissions

We also realise you may have lots of questions about our School and the admissions process in general, so we've tried to collate answers to a number of them here - but please, if you can't find the answer to your question, then email us on admin5201@welearn365.com or call us on 01926 919280 and we'll do our very best to help!

 FAQ

Here are the frequently asked questions about our Reception class specifically - simply click on a question to see the full answer.

 How many children will there be in Reception? 

We can take up to 15 pupils in Reception class. In exceptional circumstances we may take an additional pupil. Reception are in a mixed class with Year 1. This can take the total figure up to 30 when we are at full capacity. 

How many teachers and teaching assistants do you have in the class?

One class teacher and teaching assistant

Will my child be able to meet the teacher before starting? 

We offer induction visits in the summer term during which the children have the chance to meet their class teacher and other members of the class.  There will also be a transition process in September. 

What are Reception children taught?

Children in Reception are taught the EYFS curriculum. This is organised into 7 areas of learning. 

Prime Areas

• Communication and Language
• Personal, social and emotional development
• Physical development

 Specific Areas

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the World
• Expressive arts and design

 Each day the children have phonics, maths, topic and story sessions with the teacher. They often then complete other games and activities with an adult to develop this learning further as well as having ‘let’s explore’ time where they can develop their own ideas. 

The children’s interests and experiences shape a lot of our planning and we also have a range of topics to inspire the children’s curiosity and imaginations. Language development is at the heart of our curriculum and through these topics the children explore a variety of books which expand their vocabulary and knowledge. 

What's the normal daily routine of Reception? 

Throughout the day there will be a mixture of adult and child led activities. The children have short periods of time with the class teacher where they will be taught specific knowledge and skills. The children will then follow their own learning in the environment (child intitiated), this is where they can apply and rehease what they have been taught in different contexts, following their own interests. 

What outdoor space do the Reception children have? 

The children have access to outside throughout the day. They have a decking area where they explore different resources that are not suitable for indoor play. 

Do you have Reception children who do wrap around care? 

Yes, Reception pupils can attend wrap around care which is provided by Activity B’s from 7.45 a.m. to 8.45 a.m. and again at the end of the day from 15.15 p.m. up to 18.00 p.m. 

Do Reception Children take part in Forest School? 

Yes, they take part in one session per week and will do for their whole time at Wolverton Primary. 

How does the school support very young Reception children? 

All children are supported in line with their age and stage of development. Support is provided in a variety of forms, for example, an adult providing additional resources for a child, talking them through how to do an activity or helping them to complete a task such as putting on their coat or doing their buttons. We have found that children with birthdays in the summer term do not necessarily need any more support than those children born in the autumn term. Support is provided for individual children, as and when they require this. 

My child has SEND, can they join your Reception class? 

If your child has SEND the school will be able to provide appropriate support, whilst working alongside external agencies. Parents should speak directly to the SENDco for further information. 

How does the Reception class teacher communicate with parents? 

Class teachers communicate with parents in a variety of ways; these include through Class Dojo, email, telephone conversations, the school newsletter and face to face meetings, as appropriate. 

How does the Reception class teacher monitor the progress of my child? 

Progress is monitored in a variety of ways including through adult observations, the children’s work and assessments. Our planning and teaching is closely linked to your child’s previous learning in order to ensure they make good progress throughout the year. 

What phonics scheme do you use? 

We use ‘Little Wandle’ phonics scheme. The children have a daily phonics lesson which includes a mixture of reading practice, games and activities. They quickly learn to recognise individual sounds and then blend them together to read words. As part of our phonics sessions we also teach the children to write short words and sentences. In the autumn term Miss Lenton will give a short presentation to parents about phonics and how to support your child in learning to read. 

What's the school uniform? 

For information on school uniform please see guidance on school website. 

Do Reception children have a snack? 

Yes, Reception and Key Stage 1 pupils are provided with a daily fruit / vegetable snack. They also have access to milk through Coolmilk. 

How do you support children who need help with the toilet? 

We expect all children to be toilet trained unless there have additional needs. All children are reminded to go to the toilet regularly through the day e.g. before lunch and playtime.  Children who need additional support are reminded by staff to go more regularly. If parents have concerns then they can discuss these with the class teacher and where appropriate advice from the school health service COMPASS sought. 

Do you do school lunches and how much do they cost? 

School lunches are free under the Government’s’ Universal Free School Meals’ scheme for children in Reception and KS1. 

Wider School FAQs

Here are the FAQs for the wider school.

What is your current OFSTED rating? 

We hold a GOOD rating - our latest report can be found here

What are your latest SAT scores? 

Information on the schools SATS scores is available on the website here 

Why do you combine year groups? 

Year groups are combined to form mixed age classes in Reception and Year 1; Year 2,3 and 4, and Year 5 and Year 6. As our admission number is 15 pupils year groups are combined to form viable class sizes. The teachers are skilled in in teaching mixed age classes and ensure that the children’s learning meets their individual needs. 

Do you use teaching assistants across the school? 

A number of teaching assistants are employed across the school.  

Which schools do your children go on to study at? 

At the end of Year 6 pupils move onto a variety of secondary schools within the local area including those in Warwick, Stratford Upon Avon, Henley and Alcester. Some pupils and parents opt to attend private school, others move to places in Academies and Grammar school’s such as Stratford Girls’ Grammar.  

Do your children do the 11+? 

This is a parental choice, but many pupils do take the 11+ test in Year 6. 

How many children can attend the school? 

We take up to 105 children within the school 

How do you manage disruptive behaviour? 

All behaviour is managed in line with our Behaviour policy, which is available on the school website, and our 3 school rules ‘Ready, Respectful and Safe’. 

How do you prevent bullying? 

Bullying is addressed through our Positive Behaviour policy. Our joint Personal, Social, Health Education and Relationship Education scheme (PSHE & RSE) provides the children with information on what constitutes bullying and give them the opportunity to consider the effect bullying has. We also use the materials produced in the annual Anti-bullying campaign to highlight this issue and reinforce the steps pupils can take to address bullying. 

Do you have a PTA? 

Yes – a very enthusiastic one!  They have undertaken many events for children including Disco’s, quizzes etc. 

Do you take the children swimming? 

 Pupils in the lower end of the school do not go swimming. Those pupils in upper Key Stage 2 who cannot swim have a short course of intensive lessons

What type of school meals do you offer? 

We use an outside caterer to provide hot meals & packed lunches for the pupils. They can cater for pupils with a range of dietary requirements. 

Do you have a board of Governors? 

Yes, as a foundation school, we have a governing board responsible for the strategic vision of the school.  The governors come from a variety of backgrounds and have differing skills.  They include two governors elected exclusively by parents. 

Admissions FAQ

 Here are the FAQs for the admissions process.

 Do I have to live in Wolverton or Norton Lindsey to apply? 

No, you can apply regardless of where you live. 

Whilst the school's ‘priority’ area (which can be seen here) is roughly the villages of Norton Lindsey and Wolverton along with part of Langley (shared with another school), we have many children from outside this area including from Hatton, Chase Meadow, Henley-in-Arden, and Warwick. 

How do I apply? 

Applications for places are made via the Warwickshire admissions website www.warwickshire.gov.uk/applying-school-place-reception 

Do children with siblings at the school get preference? 

Yes. This is part of the admissions criteria used by Warwickshire, but it is not the only criteria.