Beginner’s guide
to Reception entry
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f your first child turned three only recently, it may come as something of a shock to realise that you need to be thinking about Primary Education now. Posters will start to go up in schools over the next few weeks but if your life doesn’t yet revolve around school runs, packed lunches and having friends round for tea, you could easily miss them... 2010 will be the second time for me but I am still a little startled that applying for a place at ‘big school’ has come round so soon. I can clearly remember the anxiety of having to choose the ‘right’ school the first time round. For most children, school is is where they will spend most of their waking hours, and it’s likely that any younger siblings will follow them into the school of your choice, so it’s important to be aware of your options. All children are different - and so are the schools. You know your child better than anyone so it makes sense to go and see the schools before you make a decision. We’ve put together a general overview of what’s available to you in Whitstable and hope that this makes the whole process a bit less stressful... PRIMARY SCHOOLS Your child can enter at Reception or Nursery age and will remain at the same school until secondary school age. A Primary School covers a huge age range and caters for very different educational needs, but provides continuity to your child’s education and means you don’t have to apply for a place in a different school when your child is 7.
Joy Lane CT5 4LT. 01227 261430 Headteacher: Debra Hines School motto: ‘Inspiring our Community’ Size of school: approx 300 children On-site nursery: Oyster Bay Nursery Age range: 3-11 Extended Services: Breakfast Club, After-School Clubs
Facilities on site: Autism Provision, Oyster Bay Nursery, Swimming pool, Children’s Centre School comment: “With our own on-site Oyster Bay Nursery and Breakfast Club we can accommodate your childcare needs alongside providing excellent teaching for your child in the safe, secure and encouraging environment we are so proud of. As our recent Ofsted Inspection can confirm, our high standards are successful in ensuring that all pupils achieve their maximum potential.” Open days: Tuesday 20th October - 1.30pm onwards Thursday 12th November - 1.30pm onwards Saturday 21st November - 10am-12 - tours of the school plus fun activities including sponsored bounce! Or phone for an appointment. Overall Ofsted rating: 2 - Good (2009) School website: www.joylane.kent.sch.uk
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COMMUNITY
JOY LANE PRIMARY SCHOOL, OYSTER BAY NURSERY and AUTISM PROVISION
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