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Admissions

Admissions Criteria

The standard number for admission for each year group is 40. Our normal admission area is the village of Whitwell. There is now only one admission, within the year, into the Reception class and this is in September. A child who is five between the 1st September and the following 31st August will be admitted into Reception in the September before their fifth birthday.

Admissions criteria for primary schools - Derbyshire County Council

All admissions for main school are co-ordinated by Derbyshire County Council. They also co-ordinate in-year applications.

We also have a 52 place Nursery, admission for this needs to be made directly with the school. Admission into Nursery will occur from the term after the child’s third birthday, depending on places available. Our nursery school does sometimes have a long waiting list and it may not be possible to provide every child on our waiting list with a place straight away.

Applying for your child's nursery place

The school hosts its own waiting list for Nursery admissions. Children can be placed on the list at any time, and places are offered termly. Where applications for nursery places exceed the places available in a term, the school follows the same criteria as Derbyshire County Council school admission arrangements (See Policies page for further information).

The Nursery Application Form can be found at the top of this page.

If you would like to find more about our school before you apply, you are very welcome to visit the school to have a look round and meet the Headteacher.

Local Authority and Admissions

Determination of schools' admission arrangements 2027/28

The admission arrangements for maintained schools in Derbyshire have been determined for the 2027/28 school year.

Common application forms will be available from Derbyshire Primary, Infant and Junior schools and other public offices, also online at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/admissions or by ringing Call Derbyshire on 01629 533190.

Parents will be offered one place only in a Derbyshire School.

Admission of children to Foundation Stage 2 (Reception) for September 2027

If your child was born between 1st September 2022 and 31st August 2023 they will eligible to start school in September 2027. You should apply for their school place by 15th January 2027 on the Derbyshire Council website. You will be able to make your application there from 9am on 9th November 2026.

Admission of children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities

It is Derbyshire’s policy to meet children’s needs, wherever possible, in mainstream schools. Our school fully supports this policy.

Transfer to Secondary School

Children transfer to Secondary Education when they have completed their final year in the primary school at the age of 11. The local school for our catchment is Heritage High School in Clowne.

Year 6 Parents - as your child was born between 1st September 2015 and 31st August 2016 this is their last year of primary school. You now need to apply for a secondary school place by 31st October 2026. They will start secondary school in September 2027.

If you would like your child to attend our school, please see full details of our admission arrangements below.