When do we hear from schools about place acceptance and further info?

[Ostryga]

Just wondered if there was a rough timescale. First child to go to school (can you tell!) and want to get organised etc.

We didn't hear until after May half term

I think after May half term is pretty typical. The school will have a reasonably clear idea of which children are starting, and they won't want to set up induction sessions, parents' meetings etc (if these can happen this year) too early.

We got a welcome email that said they will be in touch during the summer term.

Ohh man, it’s all such a waiting game! I’ve got my boss snapping at my heels to know what time off I’ll need in September as we are a team full of parents with school aged kids! Am I right in thinking there’ll be a transition week(s) where DD isn’t in school for the full day etc? Guessing every school is different! Maybe I’ll just book the whole first week off so I can guarantee I get it ..

Although a school may present a timetable of phased entry to Reception with half days, etc, you are entitled to full-time education from the first day of term. You do not have to accept a phased entry.

I got a letter yesterday asking to confirm acceptance of place, and just a general information form about my son to fill in (Drs details, emergency contacts etc etc). The letter said they do a phased start and hope to start them full time by 3rd week of September

Ours send an email after we had accepted the place. There was then a session for them to go to school in July. And a load of forms got sent in the post for us to fill out. I don't know if they will have them in for the session now with covid?

The 3rd week @Spacemonkey2016 that would kill my annual leave! And surely, just drags it out for the kids, most of who will have been in some form of pre-school or nursery where they are used to be being left for the day.. I was expecting around a week of transition maybe!

We’ve had nothing other than the council email confirming allocation. I guess we might hear something after the two week re-allocation period our council have..

We had a short welcome email on Friday with a questionnaire about the DC as well as a date for an information session in June.

@Charmatt

Although a school may present a timetable of phased entry to Reception with half days, etc, you are entitled to full-time education from the first day of term. You do not have to accept a phased entry.

Do you have direct experience of this @Charmatt? My friend has tried to insist that her son go full time from day 1 but the Head of the school won’t budge and is adamant that all kids do half days only until November! It’s going to be a nightmare for her.

They're all different, our school only does 2 half days then they are full time. You could ask on local Facebook groups, schools tend to stick to a tried and tested formula.

@HaveringWavering - what?! Half days until November?! I’m an ex primary teacher & have worked in a lot of schools doing supply etc, I’ve never ever heard of anything so ridiculous. I’d be kicking up an alright fuss & probably changing schools! 3 weeks seems extreme let alone 3 months! My DD has been in nursery 8am-5pm 4 days a week since she was 2.. 9am-3pm at school will be a breeze if an adjustment in comparison!

[quote HolmeH]@HaveringWavering - what?! Half days until November?! I’m an ex primary teacher & have worked in a lot of schools doing supply etc, I’ve never ever heard of anything so ridiculous. I’d be kicking up an alright fuss & probably changing schools! 3 weeks seems extreme let alone 3 months! My DD has been in nursery 8am-5pm 4 days a week since she was 2.. 9am-3pm at school will be a breeze if an adjustment in comparison![/quote]
Yes, it’s crazy. I won’t say any more as not fair to potentially out my friend, but she is taking it further.

We received a welcome pack from our school yesterday.

It was forms to fill in and a questionnaire about our child’s likes/dislike etc. We also got a timetable of dates for meeting the teacher, settling in sessions. We also had the timings for the phased start in September which means we don’t start full time in reception until week 5 on the 4th October

@Idontwant2

We received a welcome pack from our school yesterday.

It was forms to fill in and a questionnaire about our child’s likes/dislike etc. We also got a timetable of dates for meeting the teacher, settling in sessions. We also had the timings for the phased start in September which means we don’t start full time in reception until week 5 on the 4th October

And are you happy with such a long phased start? FYI my friend has now updated me that her DS’ future school have reconsidered after being pointed to a previous decision of the schools adjudicator and will now accept him full-time from day 1.

@HaveringWavering

I knew that it was a long phased start as I’ve had 1 child go through the school already and it was the same pattern way back in 2009 when they started, luckily for me it won’t affect work or anything so its doable but also my son is quite shy so I think this will be a better way for him adapt to the change. Time will tell though.

Our 5 week phased start goes depending on which group your in

Week 1: just 2 mornings or afternoons due to inset days

Week 2: 5 mornings or afternoons

Week 3: 5 mornings or afternoons the opposite to what you did week 2

Week 4: 5 mornings and stay for lunch then home at 1pm

Week 5: full time

This document established the right to full time education from day 1:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/st-marks-church-of-england-primary-school

[quote Charmatt]This document established the right to full time education from day 1:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/st-marks-church-of-england-primary-school[/quote]
That's very interesting reading, thanks for posting that!

The code says children are entitled to a full time place from the September of their 4th birthday. Can schools interpret this as the end of September and force parents into agreeing to a phased start until then does anyone know? Our school is suggesting that the part-time period for all children will be 3-4 weeks long.

My opinion is that it is explicit that the decision means there can be an expectation of full-time attendance from the first day of term.