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Fir Tree School

Fir Tree School

Admissions

West Berkshire's policy is to admit children in the academic year they are five (September). Our Foundation pupils are taught in our purpose built Foundation Unit. We admit children from a number of local nursery/playgroups as well as from our own Nursery.

Our school can accommodate approximately 260 pupils, including Nursery. We currently admit 30 children into each new school year group and 26 in a Nursery session. West Berkshire allocates places for Reception to Year 6, not the school itself, although you are more than welcome to ring us and see if we have spaces in a required Year Group. Children are admitted in line with the Local Authority's policy and come from within and beyond our designated area.

Admissions Appeals

West Berkshire Council act as the Newbury Academy Trust’s Admissions authority.  Therefore, any parent not offered a school place at their preferred school has the right of appeal to an independent appeals panel. This can be for a place at one or more of your preferred schools and against an alternative school place that has been allocated by this Council. Information on how to appeal will be provided with the result of the application, which you will receive from the Council. Appeals must be lodged by the dates set out in the coordinated and in-year admissions scheme for the normal admissions round or within 21 days from the date of the offer or refusal letter. You're allowed a minimum of 20 school days to submit an appeal - the notification of the decision you receive will tell you what the deadline for appeal will be.  For more information contact https://info.westberks.gov.uk/admissionappeals

Admissions Timetable

Month

Activity

September
(prior to your child's 5th birthday)

Open days and visits to the school will take place to which all parents of pupils due to be admitted in the following academic year are invited. If you wish to visit the school, please contact the school office and they will let you know of any upcoming Open days or arrange a convenient appointment.

October

West Berkshire's applicationform is available on its website and information is sent to prospective parents.

March

Places are allocated by West Berkshire.

June/July

Parent Information Evenings are run by the school and all new parents are invited to attend. Home visits by the Foundation Lead Teacher are arranged. Children are invited to transition sessions to get to know their new school before the summer holidays.

September

Children begin school. The first week is often a staggered start with half days leading up to full days.

Deferring Places

Places can be deferred until statutory school age (the beginning of the term after their 5th birthday) but the majority of children begin school in September.