Admissions
School Admissions
Admissions for Reception and transfers from other schools are co-ordinated by the Local Authority.
The Online Portal for Admissions to First and Primary Schools opens on 1st November 2023 and closes on the 15th January 2024. You must complete an application for a place in a Reception class even if your child attends the school nursery or pre-school setting. Further information can be found on the School Admissions page by following the link Admissions for Reception or by calling the admissions team on 0345 600 6400
The admissions team co-ordinates the transfer process on behalf of schools in Northumberland, including academies, voluntary aided and trust.
To transfer schools you must complete an ‘In Year’ Application Form. If you are unable to complete this form a paper copy is available by contacting the school admissions team:
School Admissions
Northumberland County Council
County Hall
Morpeth
Northumberland
NE61 2EF
Tel: 0345 600 6400
Email: schooladmissions@northumberland.gov.uk
Website: Northumberland County Council Reception Entry Applications
Nursery Admissions
Nursery is an integral part of Sele First School and alongside the Reception classes is part of Early Years. Nursery provides children with the best possible start to their education. One teacher and two qualified and experienced teaching assistants work alongside the children. Additional staff support children with individual needs.
Nursery places are available for five mornings or five afternoons per week or two full days and one half day per week (afternoon session for the half day). For parents eligible for the 30 hour offer we do cater for these additional hours – please contact the school office to discuss hours and availability.
Children staying full days have a school lunch.
We also offer paid Nursery spaces if you are not entitled to additional funded hours. This is currently £4.50 per hour. Please contact the school office for further information.
Applications are now open for Nursery 2024 starters. Click below to read out admissions policy and access the application form.
Sele First School Nursery Admissions Policy September 2023
Application Form Sele First Nursery 2024
Our Nursery Admissions Policy and our Nursery Admissions Form for our 2024 – 2025 will be available to download from this page from 4 September 2023. The closing date for applications is Monday 18 November 2023.
Reception Admissions
Reception Entry September 2024
We have included some videos and information on this page to give you a feel for school and insight into school life for a Reception child.
Click on each video below to find out more!
Tapestry is our online learning journal which can be accessed on a desktop, laptop and any Apple or Android device such as a tablet or smart phone.
Tapestry is an exciting way of keeping track of your child’s development and their time with us and is also very secure.
We are able to upload photos, videos and observations of your children. You are then emailed to alert you that something new has been added to your child’s Learning Journal and can log on and view snapshots of your child’s learning. A massive advantage of this system is that you can instantly add your own comments to entries.
The safeguarding of our children is very important to us. Everything that is added to Tapestry will be added to our school account and can only be viewed by school staff that use the system and also yourself, using your own log on. You will only have access to your child’s own book and this cannot be seen by other parents.
We are very excited about using this system in our school and would like you to find out more about it too. Tapestry’s website is linked below where you will find lots of information and videos: https://tapestry.info/parents-carers.html
Read Write Inc
We use Read Write Inc in school to teach children phonics in Reception. You can find out more about this programme by clicking on the link below, which also includes a handy Youtube video.
https://www.ruthmiskin.com/en/parents-copy-2/
Reception Workshops
In September the Early Years team will deliver workshops which are aimed at giving parents and carers an insight into the curriculum. These will include a visit to the garden area in school and how this is used to support the early years curriculum. This area has been recently extended so the workshops provide a good opportunity to share with parents how this will be used. Outdoor learning has increased in prominence in the current climate and we are excited as a school about children spending more time learning in the outdoors.
The workshops will also inform parents on how we teach early maths and literacy, strategies have changed in recent years so this is an ideal opportunity for parents/carers to hear how they can best support children’s learning at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will I find out my child’s class teacher?
We finalise classes in June and you will be invited to a garden stay and play session where children and families can meet your child’s class teacher, school staff and their classmates.
In July, children and their families will be invited into classrooms to see the learning environment.
During the final week of the summer holidays, we will be hosting out Reception Teddy Bears Picnic for all Reception children
What school uniform does my child need?
The link below will take you to our School Uniform page.
What do I need to provide for my child?
To start school your children needs the correct school uniform and PE Kit. See link above.
They also need a book bag, we recommend the school book bags as listed on the uniform list. We politely request no back packs.
Children can bring a named water bottle to school. This will be sent home daily.
How can I help prepare my child for starting school?
Click on the link below to access a helpful ‘School Readiness Guide’
How do I find out what my child is doing at school?
We use Tapestry, an online learning journal, to keep you up to date with what you child is learning in school. We also have Home School Reading Records where you can find out what your child is reading and comment on any home reading.
We have two parent and carer consultations each academic year, first in October/November and then in March.
When will my child be in school full time?
Our reception children begin school full time from September. We take the first few weeks slowly introducing routines and ensuring children are safe and happy within their new school.
What will my child eat?
All children in Reception receive a free school meal through the universal infant free school meal offer. Parents who are eligible for income related free school meals can apply via Northumberland County Council. If you are eligible for income related FSM and you apply you will also receive free school milk and a 20% discount off school uniform purchased from school.
Further information and links to apply for FSM can be found at the link below.
https://www.northumberland.gov.uk/Education/Schools/Meals.aspx
To see our current school lunch menu, click on the link below.
Sele First School Winter Menu 2023
