Starting at our school

We are always delighted to welcome new children to our school. Some children will join part way through an academic school year. We strongly encourage you to come and visit us before applying so you can get a feel for the school and check that you think it will suit your child. We are also very keen that children visit us too so that we can try and alleviate some of the anxiety that comes with moving schools or starting a new one for the first time.

Fairburn teddy bear — Our welcome Teddy Bear

Starting school in Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

Applying for a place

Children start in Foundation Stage the September after turning 4. You need to apply through North Yorkshire County Council (NYCC) and complete the online application form by 15^th January 2025. You will be notified if you have been allocated a place on National Offer Day which is 16^th April 2025. Click on the link below to access the admissions form and find out more about allocation of places and the appeals process.

NYCC Admissions Page

What happens next?

If your child has been allocated a place in our school, you will receive a welcome letter confirming you child’s place shortly after National Offer Day. We have three transition afternoons in the second part of the summer term where your child is invited to attend our school and spend time in the EYFS provision, meeting the staff and the other children which we hope will help them to feel more settled and less worried.

On the first afternoon, there is a parent’s meeting often attended by the school nurse, where we will talk about starting school in September as well as you having lots of opportunities to ask us as many questions as you like!

On the last afternoon, we invite your child to attend a Teddy Bear’s Picnic along with the rest of the school, so they have an opportunity to not only meet the other children and staff but also experience a lunch time at school. It is obviously important they bring their teddy to meet us too!

We have had our own story book made all about EYFS which we will give your child to have a look at over the Summer holidays. It will help them to understand our systems, who the staff are and what happens at school. We will also give you lost of information about which will include uniform, school lunches, the financial support available and milk and snacks.

Here is a video which suggests what you can do as a parent to help you child with Numbers before they start school.

All about Numbers

Teddy bears picnic 2022 2 — Teddy Bear's Picnic lunch

Starting School in September

We will let you know the date we return to school before the end of the summer term. Foundation Stage children attend for mornings only for the first two weeks when they start in September. Your child can choose to stay for lunch and remain at school until 1pm or leave at 12pm.

On the first day of term, we hold a welcome assembly where each new pupil is presented with a small cake and a welcome teddy bear to mark the start of their school journey with us. It is a special time.

Meet our school Bear

Whether your child is starting as a Foundation Stage pupil or joining part way through a year, it is important that they feel as comfortable as possible so please let us know what we can do to enable this to happen.