Admissions

2 Year old (2YO)

At Whiteways, we aim for our 2YO provision to provide a safe and stimulating environment where your child can build on their social skills through play and become inquisitive learners through exploration and creating.

Our 2YO nursery at Whiteways is registered to take 16 FEL (Free Early learning) children with 8 child attending for each session; morning and afternoon. Sessions are offered for either five mornings of 3 hours each, or five afternoon sessions of 3 hours each. This totals 15 hours per week, per child.

For a 2 year old child to be eligible they must meet both the age and circumstance eligibility criteria. Children meet the criteria the term after their second birthday.

Please complete the 2YO nursery application form and bring it to the school office or please call our school office.

Nursery (FS1)

Whiteways Nursery has provision for 96 part time children. Nursery offers a great start to every child’s education, mixing a chance to play and socialise with others and an introduction of valuable skills such as reading and writing (through the teaching of phonics) and some very basic maths skills.

Children can begin Nursery during the term after they have reached three years old. Attendance at the Whiteways School Nursery does not guarantee a place at the main school when a child reaches school age but does provide a good start to school life, wherever a child attends, later on.

If you would like to have a look around our Nursery or apply for a place, please contact the school. Alternatively, download a nursery application form and either post it to the school address or hand the completed form in to the school office.

We do not hold an open day, as we prefer to meet with parents and their children individually. In this way, parents get to see the nursery school under ‘normal’ conditions, giving a much more accurate feel of what we have to offer. For further information click to view our Free Early Learning (FEL) Admissions Foundation Stage policy

Reception (FS2)

The school admits children in line with the Local Authority Admissions Policy. Each year we accept 60 pupils in two classes. You can find details of the policy and guidelines on the Sheffield City Council website.

Our Reception Classes ensure that the specific needs of children who are 5 years and under, are met, in accordance with the Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum. In particular, this allows children to develop at their own rate, through structured play and the gradual introduction of more traditional teaching methods.

The school operates in-line with the national admissions procedures, creating three possible points of entry for those children who turn 5 between 1st September and 31st August. Although parents can elect for their children to start in September, January or April, most prefer a September start so that their children have the opportunity to spend a full year with their classmates.
Most importantly, we work with all parents to ensure that any decisions are the right ones to suit the needs of each child.

In the November prior to the academic year in which their child is due to commence, a ‘Preference Form’ is available from Primary School Admissions, Local Authority (LA) – Sheffield City Council – and this must be completed and returned directly to the Council either by post or using the internet.

A formal offer of a place will usually be made by the LA prior to the Easter holiday. In the case of over-subscription, appeals can be made through the LA.

NB: The school has no influence over the admissions process, which is clearly outlined in the Local Authority’s Admissions Pack, and which applicants are encouraged to read thoroughly. These packs are available in different languages and we have a number of staff in school who can support parents in a range of languages.

We realise that parents may have anxieties about their children entering school at such an early stage and our experienced staff are always available to talk to you about your child’s individual needs.

In Year Admissions

If you would like your child to attend Whiteways Primary School, you will need to fill in a form through the local council website or from Moorfoot. Alternatively, if your child is already attending a Sheffield school, you can ask them for a transfer form.

Sheffield City Council holds waiting lists for all year groups at Whiteways Primary School (except Nursery – these are held within school). When FS2-Y6 places become available the council allocates children who are at the top of the waiting list.

Prior to starting school at Whiteways, we will ask the parents and child to attend for an admissions meeting where we can fill in necessary paperwork, make an assessment of the child and introduce them to their new class and teacher. An appropriate admission date will then be arranged.

IR Admissions

Children are allocated places in our Integrated Resource by the Local Authority. All children within the IR have an EHCP and are placed via the SENDSARS team. To request further information regarding allocation, please contact our Inclusion Lead – Lisa Whitehead – either by email (lwhitehead@cascademat.co.uk) or phone (0114 2426736). Alternatively, the information can be found on the Local Authority website at https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/home/schools-childcare/children-specialist-educational-needs.