Admissions

As a village school with a strong Christian ethos, we warmly welcome prospective pupils and their families into our community. Every child is supported to flourish and grow in the love of God, guided by our core values of Service, Forgiveness, Trust, Generosity, and Compassion. Our admissions process is designed to be clear, supportive, and family-centred.

Our Admissions Policy (which follows the Kent Scheme of Admissions) is available on the Policies page of our website.

Starting school in Year R

Choosing the right school for your child is an important milestone. We encourage families to visit our Starting Primary School page, which provides detailed guidance on choosing a school and the admissions process for children joining us in Year R.

You may also find it helpful to explore our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) provision, which outlines how we nurture curiosity, confidence, and independence from the very beginning.

At Bridge & Patrixbourne, we are committed to making every child’s start to school a positive and nurturing experience. Our vision is inspired by Jesus’ words: “I am the vine, you are the branches”, and we aim to cultivate creativity, excellence, and resilience in every child.

In-Year Admissions

If you are considering moving your child to Bridge & Patrixbourne CEP School during the school year, please contact our Admissions Officer, Morny Starling, in the school office as your first step. Mrs Starling will arrange a visit to the school so you can see first-hand what life is like here and discuss your child’s needs.

Our Published Admissions Number (PAN) is 60 pupils per year group and we are unable to exceed this limit. Mrs Starling will advise if there are any spaces available in your child’s year group.

You will be asked to complete the In-Year Admission Form and then submit this to the school. You will then be offered a place or join the waiting list.

The waiting list is prioritised based on the distance from your home to the school — closer families are ranked higher regardless of when the application was received.

When a place becomes available, Mrs Starling will contact the parent or carer at the top of the waiting list to offer the space.

Once your child has been offered a place, we will be in touch with further information about induction and transition arrangements.

Upon accepting a place at Bridge & Patrixbourne, we encourage a brief introductory meeting (around 15 minutes) between parents and the class teacher. This meeting helps to establish a positive parent-teacher partnership, which is vital to supporting your child’s growth and learning journey.

What you may want to read next

If your child is joining Bridge & Patrixbourne, you may find the following pages helpful:

• What happens once your Year R child has a place?
  Find out how we support children as they prepare to start school, including transition arrangements and settling-in support on our Starting Primary School page.

• Preparing your child for starting school
  Practical information such as school uniform, school meals, and term dates to help families feel ready for September.

• Early Years provision at Bridge & Patrixbourne
  Learn more about our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum, learning environment, and how we support children’s early development.

If you have any questions about admissions or starting school, please Contact Us and the school office will be happy to help.