Admissions Information for Starting at St Mary's Catholic Primary School

At St Mary's, we follow the admissions criteria set out by Kent County Council. In line with government legislation, this limits class numbers to a maximum of 30 children in KS1.

We understand that when deciding which school is best for your children, there can be a lot of unanswered questions. We aim to provide you with all the information that you may need. If there is anything you require further information about, please do not hesitate to contact our friendly team in the school office. 

Admission to school

St Mary’s Catholic Primary School accepts new pupils from all religious denominations and cultures; you do not have to be Catholic to be a member of the St Mary’s community. However, the admissions criteria gives preference to baptised Catholics. 

To apply to our school, you must complete the Kent County Council (or other Council if your child is resident in another county) Reception Common Application Form (RCAF) at:

https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/schools/school-places/primary-school-places

Please read the Admissions Policy and Procedure which can be found on the school’s website here.

Please also ensure that you have read the school’s Privacy Notice, which can be found on the school’s website here

In addition to applying through your home local authority website by completing a CAF all applicants who wish to apply under the oversubscription criteria listed in the policy are requested to complete a Supplementary Information Form (available on the school websites or from each school’s Admissions Officer). Completed forms, along with any supporting documentation, should be sent to the Admissions Officer at the school at the time of application. Not doing so may lead to your child being placed in a lower priority category than they should.

Any supporting documentation requested must be provided to the school by the closing date. This includes for Catholic, Other Christian or Other Faith children, a copy of the baptismal certificate/dedication or evidence of membership.

Please note that if you are not offered a place and submit an appeal, a copy of the form will be submitted to the Appeal Panel.

In Year or Casual Admissions

Applications made too late for the local authority co-ordinated system, In-year applications for year R and applications for entry to years 1-6 must be made on the IYCAF (In -Year and Casual application Form) available on school websites. The same policy and procedure (apart from the timetable) applies to these applications. This form must be sent to the school’s Admissions Officer. All applicants who wish to apply under the oversubscription criteria listed in the policy are requested to complete a Supplementary Information Form (available on the school websites or from each school’s Admissions Officer). Completed forms, along with any supporting documentation, should be sent to the Admissions Officer at the school at the time of application.  Not doing so may lead to your child being placed in a lower priority category than they should.

Any supporting documentation requested must be provided to the school by the closing date. This includes for Catholic, Other Christian or Other Faith children, a copy of the baptismal certificate/dedication or evidence of membership.
 

Please note that if you are not offered a place and submit an appeal, a copy of the form will be submitted to the Appeal Panel.

Admission Appeals

Parents whose applications for places are unsuccessful, may appeal to an Independent Appeal Panel set up in accordance with sections 88 and 94 of the School Standards and Framework Act 1998.

If your child is due to start primary school in September 2025, you can appeal if you are refused a place at one of your preferred schools on National Offer Day (Wednesday 16 April 2025).

You must submit your appeal before Tuesday 20 May 2025 for it to be considered by Friday 18 July 2025.  Any appeals received after this time will be heard within 40 school days from the deadline, or where reasonably possible in line with updated guidance from the Department for Education.

For appeals related to in year applications, appeals will be heard within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged

Please click here for more information about how to appeal a school offer. 

Please click here for a link to the Kent County Council parent guide for applying for school places.

Consultation on admission arrangements for September 2027
 

Every year schools and academies are required to review their admission arrangements. The aim is to ensure that the arrangements continue to be appropriate, and that they comply with all the relevant requirements, particularly the national code of guidance and the policy of the Archdiocese. The Kent Catholic Schools’ Partnership is consulting on proposed changes to the admissions policy for this school to take effect for school admissions for September 2027.

The proposed changes will affect new applications for entry into any of our schools from 1 September 2027 onwards. In this case the consultation period will run from 17^th October 2025 to 28^th November 2025 . You can find further information about the proposed changes at the following link Kent Catholic Schools' Partnership - Admissions: Public Consultation or by asking for a copy of the information at the school office.

Primary Admissions Supplementary Form 2026 and 2027

Please return this Supplementary Information Form to the Admissions Officer at the school (not Kent County Council). You can either return to the school office in person or email a copy to admissions@st-marys-whitstable.kcsp.org.uk.

For Year R entry in September 2026 please return this form to the school no later than 15 January 2026 in order that we may rank your application.

Any supporting documentation requested must be provided to the school by the closing date. This includes for Catholic, Other Christian or Other Faith children, a copy of the baptismal certificate/dedication or evidence of membership.

Please note failure to submit a completed Supplementary Information form when applying for a Catholic school place may result in your application not being placed in the correct category and could result in you not receiving an offer of a place.

The School Day

Foundation & KS1

                                      08:35            Gates open

                                      08:45            Registration

                                10:15 – 10:30       Yrs R, 1, 2 & 3 break

                                12:00 – 13:00       Lunch break 

                                      15:15             End of school           

                                                     KS2

                                      08:35             Gates open

                                      08:45             Registration

                           10:15 - 10:30          Yrs 4, 5 & 6 break (Tues, Wed, Thurs)

                             10:30 – 10:45        Yrs 4, 5 & 6 break (Mon & Fri)

                               12:00 – 13:00        Lunch break

                                      15:15             End of school

Trusted Care

St Mary's Breakfast and

After School Club

• St Mary's School pupils only

• Age 4 to 11 years

• Open weekdays except school holidays, Bank Holidays & Inset Days

• Breakfast Club and After School Club are held in the Activity Room, with access to the playground and sports field

All food supplied is healthy and nutritious. Children serve themselves and help is given where required. The choice of food changes to suit children's tastes and dietary needs. 

We work in line with the school's menu with breakfast available until 8.15am and tea from 4.10pm

SESSION 1 - 07:30 UNTIL SCHOOL COMMENCES

SESSION 2 - END OF SCHOOL DAY UNTIL 18:00

CONTACT DETAILS:

HEAD OFFICE: 01227 772200

EXT: 2 VIA SCHOOL: 01227 272692 (in hours)

MOBILE: 07840 855703 (in and out of hours)

PLEASE NOTE:  PLEASE RING THE AFTER SCHOOL CLUB BELL WHEN COLLECTING YOUR CHILD FROM AFTER SCHOOL CLUB. 

• For further information, including costs, please visit Kindergarten Kids website:

• Kent Catholic Schools’ Partnership is an exempt charity and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales under company registration number 08176019 at registered address Barham Court, Teston, Kent, ME18 5BZ. St Mary's Catholic Primary School is a business name of Kent Catholic Schools’ Partnership.

St Mary’s School Uniform & Sports Kit

The school is committed to promoting the uniform.  It helps children to identify with the school as a community and helps to enforce standards of dress, behaviour and discipline.  The advantages of having a uniform far outweigh the disadvantages.  Articles may be purchased from Barnum’s schoolwear shop in Herne Bay http://www.barnumsschoolwear.co.uk 

Or via the Coastal School Uniform Company:

Coastal School Uniform Company is very pleased to announce

We are now suppliers of St. Mary’s Catholic Primary School Uniform 

Please click on the link to the left. 

St Mary's Catholic Primary School is committed to promoting the uniform. It helps children to identify with the school as a community and helps to enforce standards of dress, behaviour and discipline. The advantages of having a uniform far outweigh the disadvantages. Articles may be purchased from Barnum’s Schoolwear shop in Herne Bay, The Coastal Uniform Company and some items in other big retail stores.  Second-hand items are available through the PFA.

Winter Uniform:

 Summer Uniform:

 Shoes, bags and coats:

 PE Kit:

Please ensure that all articles of clothing are securely marked with the child’s name.

Junior and infant PE kits must remain in school all week.  Please make enquiries as soon as your child loses articles of clothing – lost property is only held for a short time at the back of the hall.

The wearing of make-up, coloured nail varnish and jewellery is not permitted in school, except for stud earrings and watches.  These items must be removed or covered with tape for PE.

Hair that is shoulder-length or longer, should be tied up for school. 

Non-Uniform Day Dress Code:

• Shorts, skirts and dresses should be at least mid-thigh length.
• Low-cut trousers, shorts or necklines are not permitted.
• Strapless tops, strappy tops and vest tops are not permitted.
• Clothing should ensure that midriffs are covered.
• Flip-flops and high heels are not permitted.
• Make-up is not permitted.

• Kent Catholic Schools’ Partnership is an exempt charity and a company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales under company registration number 08176019 at registered address Barham Court, Teston, Kent, ME18 5BZ. St Mary's Catholic Primary School is a business name of Kent Catholic Sc

Is my child school ready?

10 keys to unlocking school readiness
 

We have identified 10 important life skills which will prepare our children for starting school. These will help everyone understand what children developing typically for their age should be able to do by the time they start in reception class.

The 10 keys for unlocking school readiness are:

1. I can settle happily without my parent or carer
2. I can tell friends and grown-ups what I need
3. I can take turns and share when I am playing
4. I can go to the toilet on my own and wash my hands
5. I can put on my own coat and shoes and feed myself
6. I can tell a grown up if I am happy, sad or cross
7. I know that what I do and say can make others happy or unhappy
8. I am curious and want to learn and play
9. I can stop what I am doing, listen and follow simple instructions
10. I enjoy sharing books with grown-ups

If you have any concerns regarding your child's social skills, you are more than welcome to speak to any of our staff who will be happy to assist you. 

School Dinners

Universal Free School Meals

In Reception Class and Years 1 and 2 all children are entitled to a free school meal (UFSM). This is a Government initiative that has been running for approximately nine years. Kent use a provider called Chartwells. Their menus are freely available online and we have details in the School Office. It varies from term to term. 

You do not have to take up this option and can provide your child with a packed lunch should you choose to do so. However, the school will have to pick up the cost of the uneaten meal so it is important that you let us know if you will not be having hot school meals so we keep waste and costs to a minimum.

Some children (Key Stages 1 and 2)  are also entitled to Free School Meals due to parents earning below certain thresholds and being in receipt of certain benefits. If you think this might apply to you please speak to the Headteacher or the school office (in confidence). This can benefit the school financially. 

If your child has any allergies regarding foods please let the School Office know.  Chartwells will need medical evidence to support your child’s dietary requirements.
 

Milk

Free milk is available for all children aged under five in school, funded by the UK government.

In our school, this milk is provided by Cool Milk, the UK’s leading school milk supplier.

 We will register your child for their free school milk on your behalf by providing Cool Milk with your child’s name and date of birth.

Shortly before your child turns five, you will be offered the opportunity to pay a subsidised rate for your child to continue to receive milk.

If wish your child to receive School Milk after your child turns five then please contact Coolmilk. 

New Reception Starters

Welcome to EYFS 

• What to expect in EYFS

Watching our caterpillars metamorphosise into butterflies has been amazing.   The caterpillars grew SO quickly!  It was fantastic to see the five butterflies fly away this morning, what a treat! 

The Train Ride story. Read by Mrs Thorogood

Written by June Crebbin, illustrated by Stephen Lambert.

The Engine Driver poem. The Train Ride

Chromatography for Science Day..

2 / 8