Admissions
Admission Procedures for starting school in our reception class (children aged 4-5)
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St Peter’s CE Primary School admits up to 30 children into our Reception Class in the academic year of their fifth birthday. In keeping with our vision—Learning to Light the Way—we aim to ensure that every child’s transition into school is nurturing, inclusive and rooted in our Christian values of courage, compassion and respect. All children joining St Peter’s are invited to an afternoon visit during the summer term, giving them the opportunity to meet their teachers, build confidence and become familiar with their new surroundings. To support this further, our Reception teacher also visits each child in their pre‑school setting, helping us to understand every child as a unique individual from the very beginning.
You will be advised of your school place on Thursday 16th April 2026. If you have been offered a place at St Peter’s, we will contact you with our welcome information on 20th April 2026. Please accept or decline your child’s place by emailing us at:
admissions@st-peters.kent.sch.uk no later than Thursday 30th April 2026, and include proof of address as outlined by Kent County Council. For further guidance, please refer to:
After you get your school offer – Kent County Council.
After you have accepted your place, you will receive full details of our summer‑term transition events, where children will have several opportunities to visit the school, explore our setting and get to know the adults who will support them. During the summer term, the Headteacher and Reception teacher also host an information meeting for parents and carers, offering practical guidance about school routines, uniform, and the work of our PTA, as well as time to ask questions.
If you feel it would be helpful to meet with our school SENCO prior to your child starting in September, please contact 01892 525727 to arrange an appointment during the summer term.
All applications must be completed online via Primary School Places – Kent County Council. The Local Authority coordinates the admissions process and will inform parents in writing of their outcome. At every stage, we aim to ensure that our procedures reflect our commitment to welcoming families with openness, kindness and clarity—shining a light on the values that underpin our school.
If you have any further questions, please email admissions@st-peters.kent.sch.uk
Appeals Procedure
If your child is due to start primary school in September 2026, you can appeal if you are refused a place at one of your preferred schools on National Offer Day (Thursday 16 April 2026).
You must submit your appeal before Monday 18 May 2026 for it to be considered by Monday 20 July 2026. Any appeals received after this time will be heard within 40 school days from the deadline, or where reasonably possible in line with updated guidance from the Department for Education.
If you wish to appeal a primary school offer, please visit Kent County Council's website:
https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/school-places/appeal-a-school-offer
Summer born children
If your child was born between 1 April and 31 August and you want them to defer starting school until the next academic year, Kent County Council has provided the following information on their website:
https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/school-age/summer-born-children
Admission Criteria
Children are admitted to St Peter’s according to the Local Education Authority criteria, which is as follows:
- Children in Local Authority Care or Previously in Local Authority Care
- Children who have an older brother or sister at the school at the time of admission as long as they live within a two-mile radius of the school.
- Health and Special Access Reasons – a medical certificate may be required to support the application
- Children who live in the unparished area of Tunbridge Wells - see map (page 9 of the Primary Determined arrangements document below)
- Nearness of children’s home to the school
Further information can be found on the Local Authority's website
kent county council primary admission arrangements 2026 to 2027.pdf
(Please note - in this guide the numbers shown as offers by distance are 0 because of offers were made within the 'Unparished Area' - these offers are arranged by distance from the school. Page 9 of the Primary Determined Arrangements for 2023 document shows the Unparished Area by map.)
In-Year Admissions
For admission into St Peter's at any other time than at the start of the Reception year, this is classed as In-Year Admissions. Please see the following link on the Local Authority's website which details the procedure for this:
In- Year Admissions Information
In-Year Admission Application Form (IYCAF)
Please find below the Admissions Arrangements Consultation for Academic Year 2026/27 this is available to parents for consultation. There are no changes for our school. The consultation period is open until 13 Jan.
