Children's Education

The 4 different stages of education available in Herefordshire

Early years/Nursery for 3 and 4 year old children. This is provided from the term after the child's 3rd birthday. Contact the Childcare Information Service on 01432 261681. See Childcare.
Primary School for 5 to 11 year olds. Children must attend Primary School by the term after their 5th birthday. But it is possible to start earlier in the school year (September to August) in which the child becomes 5 years old.

Applications for places in the Reception Class (the school year in which pupils become 5 years old) are made by the middle of January of each year for the school year starting the following September. For example, families need to apply by the middle of January 2007 for a place in a Reception Class that starts in September 2007.

Form PA1 is to be completed by families and sent to the Admissions Team.

There is a limit on the number of children that can be admitted into each school, and therefore each year group within the school. This is determined by the physical size of the school and the types of teaching facilities it contains. The limit is called the Published Admission Number (PAN). This limit ensures that individual schools do not become overcrowded.

If you are new to Herefordshire and have children in the age range 5 to 11 years old and you want a place for them at a Primary School then you need to complete an application form, this time PA2, and send it to the Admissions Team.

Each Primary School has a catchment area. This is a geographical area served by a school. A child who lives within the catchment area is normally able to get a place at the school, but a place cannot be guaranteed.

If you are interested in your child(ren) attending a Church School then there are three Roman Catholic and thirty seven Church of England Primary Schools in Herefordshire. You are free to apply for a place at these schools using form PA1 for entry into the Reception Class and form PA2 for all other applications.
High School for children aged 12 to 16 years old. Applications for places in the Year 7 Class (the school year in which pupils become 12 years old) are made by the end of October of each year for the school year starting the following September. For example, families need to apply by the end of October 2006 for a place in a Year 7 Class that starts in September 2007.

Form SA1 is to be completed by families and sent to the Admissions Team.

There is a limit to the number of children that can be admitted into each school, and therefore each year group within the school. This is determined by the physical size of the school and the types of teaching facilities it contains. The limit is called the Published Admission Number (PAN). This limit ensures that individual schools do not become overcrowded.

If you are new to Herefordshire and have children in the age range 12 to 16 years old and you want a place for them at a High School then you need to complete an application form, this time SA3, and send it to the Admissions Team.

Each High School has a catchment area. This is a geographical area served by a school. A child who lives within the catchment area is normally able to get a place at the school, but a place cannot be guaranteed.

If you are interested in your child(ren) attending a Church School then there is one Roman Catholic and one Church of England High School in Herefordshire. You are free to apply for a place at these schools using form SA1 for entry into the Reception Class and form SA3 for all other applications.
Post 16 Education for children aged over 16 years. See Education for ages 16-19.