September 2025/26 Reception Class Admissions
If you are thinking of enrolling your child into our school for September 2025, we have our last tour date on Tuesday 7th January 2025 at 9.30am where you will be given a guided tour of the school by our Head of School and Assistant Head;-
Places are limited, therefore please telephone or email the school office to book (maximum 2 per family).
This visit is for parents/carers only. Your child will have an opportunity to visit school should a place be offered at a later date.
Admissions Arrangements
As an academy, the Penrose Learning Trust board determines the admission arrangements for Great Bentley Primary School. Our current policy is available below and also on the policy page of the school website.
Applications for places in our Reception class can be made online through the Essex County Council website. Please ensure you application is made in advance of the deadline of 15th January: https://www.essex.gov.uk/topic/admissions
Applications for mid-year places, can be made directly with Great Bentley Primary School. Please click HERE for application form and parental guidance.
Please note that from September 2024, our PAN (published admission number for Reception is 60). However, our PAN remains at 30 for all year groups joining Reception before September 2024. Please see a chart below to demonstrate how our PAN and school roll will increase over the coming 6 years:-
| Year group/ PAN |
2024-25 |
2025-26 |
2026-27 |
2027-28 |
2028-29 |
2029-2030 |
2030-31 |
| Reception |
60 |
60 |
60 |
60 |
60 |
60 |
60 |
| Year 1 |
30 |
60 |
60 |
60 |
60 |
60 |
60 |
| Year 2 |
30 |
30 |
60 |
60 |
60 |
60 |
60 |
| Year 3 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
60 |
60 |
60 |
60 |
| Year 4 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
60 |
60 |
60 |
| Year 5 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
60 |
60 |
| Year 6 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
30 |
60 |
| Anticipated NOR |
240 |
270 |
300 |
330 |
360 |
390 |
420 |
You can apply for primary (reception) school place at an Essex primary school between 4 November 2024 and 15 January 2025.
Before you apply for a Reception Class place
You should:
You may want to check the priority admission catchment area schools.
You can also watch our video on applying for a primary school place.
Primary School Admissions
Apply
Applications for a primary (reception) school place starting September 2025 can be made between 4 November 2024 and 15 January 2025.
View your application
View your application via the Essex Education portal.
You cannot change your preferences online after the closing date. If you are changing address, you must email the School Admissions Team with:
- your child’s details
- your new address
- proof of new address which must be:
- a copy of a signed tenancy agreement if you are renting
- a solicitor’s letter confirming you have exchanged contracts if you are purchasing your new home
Appeals
If your child is not offered a place at your preferred school, you can appeal against the decision.
You will receive an email with the appeal hearing date within 30 school days for mid-year appeals and 40 school days for normal admission round appeals.
If you’re thinking of appealing a Reception place for September 2025, watch Essex County Council's video:
School Admissions - not preferred school
Infant size class appeals
This applies to Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 classes where classes are limited to 30 children. If you’re appealing an infant size class limit, your chance of a successful appeal is limited.
An appeal can only succeed if:
- admitting an extra child would not breach the class size limit
- your child would have been offered a place if the admission arrangements had complied with admissions law or were correctly and impartially applied
- the admission authority’s decision to refuse a place was not one which a reasonable admission authority would have made in the circumstances of the case
Appeal a decision
For most schools in Essex, you can appeal online.
If your school is not listed or is outside Essex, you will need to contact the school.
Other ways to appeal
Use the admission appeal form (docx, 43kB) if you’re unable to submit an appeal online.
The appeal hearing
You will be invited to present your case to the Statutory Appeal Panel which is made up of 3 people.
The appeal hearing lets:
- the admission authority explain why they refused your application
- you explain to the panel why you think your child should be given a place at the school
After the appeal hearing
You will receive an email with the panel's decision within 5 school days, however, this may take longer during the summer term. The decision is final and binding on all parties.
If your appeal is successful, your child will be offered a place and the school will make contact .
Appeals timetable
For children starting infant, junior or primary school from September 2025
|
Date
|
What happens
|
|
16 April
|
National Offer Day - parents informed of outcome of application
|
|
15 May
|
Deadline for submitting appeals
|
|
3June to 17 July
|
Appeals heard for those submitted by the deadline and where possible, for late appeals (last day of term: 23 July)
|
|
September onwards
|
Appeals heard for any appeals not heard before 23 July
|
Contact the Statutory Appeals Team
Contact to cancel your appeal, amend any contact details already given or submit any supplementary paperwork by post.
Address:
Statutory Appeals Team
PO Box 11
Chelmsford
CM1 1LX
United Kingdom
Email: statutoryappeals@essex.gov.uk
