Admissions

Nursery Admissions 

Children can be registered for our Nursery by contacting the school office and completing a Nursery application form. Children may start Nursery the term after they turn three years.  

Nursery Times: 

• Morning: 8:40 – 11:40 am 

• Afternoon: 12:25 – 3:30 pm (Mon-Thurs) 

• Afternoon: 12:25-3:05 pm (Friday) 

Available Places: 

• 15-hour free Nursery: 5 mornings or 5 afternoons 

• 18hrs 45 mins extra per week: £130.20 per week, (approximately £446.57 per month) 

• 17hrs 30 mins extra per week: £122.50 per week, (approximately £420 per month) 

Contact the school office for more information: admissions@buxtonschool.org.uk  

Nursery Oversubscription Criteria: 

1. Looked After Children or children ‘At Risk’ 

2. Medical or social reasons 

3. Date of birth 

4. 30 hour code 

5. Siblings 

6. School staff children 

7. Distance from school 

Reception Admissions 

School Tours for Reception 2027: 

• Fridays from 18th September at 9:30 am 

• Book via the school office office@buxtonschool.org.uk  

Children are admitted to Reception in September. Attendance at our Nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. 

• Reception Places: 60 (PAN) 

• Eligible Birthdates: 1 September 2021 – 31 August 2022 

How to Apply 

Applications are submitted through the London Borough of Waltham Forest’s Common Application Form (CAF) online portal. 

• Application Window: 1st September 2025 – 15th January 2026 

Waltham Forest Admissions Criteria 

1. Looked After Children or Children ‘At Risk’ 

2. Medical or social reasons 

3. Siblings (local area only) 

4. School Staff Children 

5. Distance from school 

Children with an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP) are placed according to the Education Act 1996 and are not subject to these criteria. The school must be consulted with through the child’s SEND Officer for a place. Schools are able to say if they are able or not able to meet the a child’s needs through the consultation process.  

Reception Induction Programme 

• Parent and guardian meetings in June or July before school starts 

• Opportunities for children to meet teachers and classmates 

• Stay and Play sessions in July 

• Staggered start for smooth transition 

For more about Reception learning, visit the Reception Year Group page. 

Deferred or Delayed Reception Places 

All children are entitled to a full-time place in the September following their fourth birthday. If your child is not ready: 

• Request part-time attendance until compulsory school age 

• Request delayed admission within the school year (before the final term) 

Requests should be submitted in writing to the Headteacher by the end of May preceding the September start. 

Planning for a Deferred Year: 
Consider alternative childcare arrangements, as extended Nursery attendance cannot be guaranteed. 

Summer-Born Deferrals 

What is a Summer-Born Deferral? 

Families with summer-born children (born 1 April – 31 August) may apply for their child to start Reception a year later, remaining in a class with children younger than themselves by age. At Buxton School, we believe that in general children should be educated within their correct chronological year group, with the curriculum adapted as necessary to meet the needs of individual children, and that they should only be placed outside their normal age group in very limited and exceptional circumstances. 

All applications for a Summer-born deferral must be made in writing to the Executive Headteacher. 

All applications for summer-born deferrals will require evidence of the particular circumstances relating to your individual child rather than general factors which relate to a wider group of children born at the same time. 

In reaching a decision the following will be taken into account:  

1. the parent’s views 

2. information about the child’s academic, social and emotional development 

3. whether developmental delay is adversely affecting their readiness for school 

4. the child’s medical history, where relevant, and the views of a medical professional 

5. whether the child would have naturally fallen into a lower age group if it were not for being born prematurely. 

Each request will be carefully considered and a decision will be made on the merits of the individual case.  

Families considering Summer-born deferrals should speak to the professionals who work with their child to get a full picture as to whether deferring Reception for a year would be in their best interests for both the short and the long term.       

Deferral vs Summer-Born Deferral 

• Deferral (Legal Right): Delays Reception start, child remains in their chronological year group. 

• Summer-Born Deferral: Child starts Reception a full year later, outside their age group. 

All decisions are at the Headteacher’s discretion. Families should consider the child’s physical, social, and emotional development. 

Important: 

• Accepting a Summer-born deferral withdraws the allocated Reception place. 

• Families must reapply for Reception, with no guarantee the same school will be offered. 

• Nursery places are not guaranteed for children whose families request a Summer-born deferral. 

Application Process 

• Submit a written request to the Headteacher with evidence of your child’s circumstances. 

• Consider factors such as developmental readiness, academic and social progress, medical history, and premature birth. 

Right of Appeal 

There is no statutory right of appeal if Summer-born deferral is refused. Families may use the school’s complaints procedure. 

FAQs 

Who is eligible? Children born 1 April – 31 August. 
Can I defer in another year group? No, only for Reception. 
Will deferral continue through school? Usually until the end of primary school, but secondary placement requires reapplication. 
Can the year group be changed later? No; a new in-year application is required. 

www.gov.uk/government/publications/summer-born-children-school-admission/summer-born-children-starting-school-advice-for-parents#making-a-decision  

In-Year Admissions / School Transfers 

All admissions during the year are handled by Waltham Forest Pupil Admissions Service: 

• Phone: 0208 496 3000 

• Email: mailto:primary.admissions@walthamforest.gov.uk| mailto:secondary.admissions@walthamforest.gov.uk 

• Apply via the Citizen Portal 

Published Admission Numbers (PAN) 2025/26: 

• Reception: 60 | Year 1: 60 | Year 2: 60 | Year 3: 60 | Year 4: 60 | Year 5: 60 | Year 6: 60 

Inclusion 

Buxton School provides equal access to education for all children regardless of race, gender, class, or disability. Our curriculum is child-centred and inclusive, celebrating diversity and difference. 

All children are invited to visit with parents and carers prior to starting school. Prospective families are welcome to book a tour through the school office. 

Admission Appeals 

If your child is not offered a place, you may appeal once per school in the same academic year. 

• Full guidance is available on the Waltham Forest admissions appeal page.