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Starting primary school

Apply to start in the reception year at a primary or infant school, or in Year 3 at a junior school.

Children born between 1 September 2012 and 31 August 2013 are due to start school in reception year in September 2017.

Children born between 1 September 2010 and 31 August 2014 are due to transfer to Year 3 in September 2018.

If your child has a statement of special educational needs or an Education, Health and Care Plan you don’t have to go through this admission process.

Choose a school

You can list up to six preferences when you apply for a school place.

Before you apply, there are things you should consider doing:


School age ranges include:

  • infant schools - 4 to 7 year olds
  • primary schools - 4 to 11 year olds
  • junior schools - 7 to 11 year olds

Paired schools

The majority of Medway infant schools are paired with a junior school.

This means that children in the infant school have a higher priority for a place in the paired junior school than children not in the infant school.

Defer or delay your child's start date

You may be able to defer or delay your child's start date but your child must be in school the term after their fifth birthday.