When should your child start school?
Parents are required to send their child to school no later than the beginning of the school year (i.e. September) in which they become five years old. This means that all children can spend the same length of time in primary schools, irrespective of their date of birth.
The birth dates of children admitted into Reception:
in September 2027 between 1 September 2022 to 31 August 2023
in September 2028 between 1 September 2023 to 31 August 2024
For admission to the Reception class, children attend for half days for the first week of term. They will attend two morning and two afternoon sessions, details of which will be shared at the induction meeting held in the June before entering Reception. This allows children to get used to the routines as well as providing assessment time for the staff. From the second week, all children attend full time, from 9.00am until 3.05pm and may stay for lunch, 11.20am until 12.10pm, if they wish. Should any difficulties arise because of this procedure, then the school endeavours to resolve the difficulties with the parents concerned.
All places at Dunston Hill Community Primary School are allocated in accordance with the Local Authority (LA) admissions policy. This is published annually in the Gateshead LA Information for Parents Booklet, which is made available to parents prior to admission. Places are processed through Gateshead Council’s online school admission system, Primary school admissions September 2027 – Gateshead Council, where you can access their information booklet and other useful links about education in Gateshead. If you have any queries regarding the admission process, please contact the School Admissions Team on: 0191 433 2775 or 0191 433 2756.
School Transfers
If you would like to transfer your child to Dunston Hill Community Primary School from another school mid-year, please contact the Behaviour and Attendance Improvement Team on: 0191 433 8589 or 0191 433 8587. A copy of the Council’s In Year Transfer Request form can be found below.