At John Ray Infant School, children are admitted at the beginning of the Autumn term.

We have a phased transition over the first two weeks so that all children can be given sufficient support and attention to settle in gradually.

Our Foundation Stage provision will take account of the fact that our children with Spring and Summer birthdays are still very young.  If the school feels that the child is not developmentally ready to start full time then a phased programme can be established.

Admissions for September 2025

The Local Authority co-ordinates the school's admission applications for children due to start junior school in September 2025. Further information can be found here.  Admissions | Essex County Council

Admissions during the school year 

For mid-year applications please complete the admissions form found by clicking here

Upon receipt of this form, we will contact you within 15 school days to confirm if a place can be offered. If there is no place available parents can appeal using this link: After your school offer: Appeals | Essex County Council

If your child has an Educational Health Care Plan, you will need to contact the local authority SEN department in order to consult on admission to our school using this link: School places for children with SEND | Essex County Council

In the event of oversubscription within the criteria as outlined in our policy, priority will be determined by straight line distance from home to school, those living closest being given the highest priority.

To view our Admissions Policy, please click here. Admissions Policy

Waiting lists You can check your child’s current position on the waiting list of any Essex primary (Reception) school or year 3 (where held) for September 2025 from 8am on Thursday 8 May 2025. From 1st September every academic year the waiting lists are passed onto schools by Essex County Council so you would need to contact the School to check your position. We hold our waiting list for the duration of the autumn term.

We hold waiting lists for each year group, please contact us for more information.

Out of cohort requests

Parents may seek a place for their child outside of their age appropriate cohort, for example, if the child has experienced problems such as ill health. All parental requests for admission outside of their age appropriate cohort must be made in writing to the School, with any supporting evidence you may have (evidence isn’t mandatory) from relevant professionals working with the child and family, stating why the child should be placed outside their age appropriate cohort. The admission authority for the preferred school will decide each case on an individual basis and parents will be informed in writing of the decision made and the reasons behind the decision.