Visit the Durham County Council website for information regarding the school admission process and nursery school admissions. To appeal against an admission decision visit: School admissions-appeals.
Admissions Criteria
Further information from Durham County Council about the admission criteria to Community and Voluntary Controlled Nursery Schools and Units is available to view or download in the School Policies section.
Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
The majority of Children with Special Educational Needs can be supported at any nursery school, nursery unit or Early Years setting.
Nursery provision is also available in certain Special Schools. Support for individual pupils is determined by Durham Local Authority through Education, Health and Care Assessment.
The Durham Local Authority Admissions criteria stipulate that children are offered a Nursery place according to their age. However, children identified with Special Educational Needs are given priority irrespective of when they have their third birthday.
If you feel that your child has additional needs that we need to consider and that may entitle them to be given priority during the admission process, please let us know when you submit their application form.
Further information can be found in our School Policies section. Please view or download the School Admission Policy, SEN Policy and Equal Opportunities Policy.
If you would like to discuss your SEND requirements in detail please contact the school to arrange an appointment.
Waiting List
Please contact the school office on 0191 527 1168 to add your child’s name to the waiting list. Please note that placing your name on the waiting list does not guarantee you a place.
Nursery Hours
These are the hours that we currently offer:
15 hour place:
Monday – 8.45am-2.45pm, Tuesday – 8.45am-2.45pm, Wednesday – 8.45am-11.45am
or
Wednesday – 11.45am-2.40pm, Thursday – 8.45am-2.45pm, Friday – 8.45am-2.45pm
30 hour place:
Monday-Friday – 8.45am-2.45pm
You can find our what hours you are eligible for by visiting Childcare Choices.
Childcare Code
Currently, eligible working parents and carers of children aged 3 – 4 can get up to 30 hours a week of support for childcare. Eligible working parents of children aged 2 years old can also access 15 hours of childcare support.
Some parents of 2-year-old children may also be entitled to 15 hours childcare support, if they receive some additional forms of government support.
You must have a valid childcare code in order to access a place. We no longer offer paid places.
If you are a working parent or carer and would like more information on how to apply for a code please visit the .gov website.
If you are eligible for a ‘Play and Learn’ place please visit the Durham County Council website for more information.
You must renew your childcare code every three months. You can renew your code by logging into your childcare account and confirming your details. You’ll receive a text or email four weeks before your reconfirmation deadline to prompt you to log in.
Please be vigilant in renewing your code. If you don’t renew your code, your funding will stop and you may lose your place.
If your circumstances have changed, you’ll need to amend and resubmit your details.
Applying for a Primary School Place
You must apply for a primary school place a year before your child can start school. The school starting age is 4. Your child will be 3 or have just turned 4 when you apply. This is true even if you want your child to start later – you’ll be able to ask for a later start when you apply.
Applications open in September each year and close on 15 January.
