Reception September 2025

Registration Next Steps

We are delighted that your child is joining us.  Here are the next steps to register your child.

1. Make sure you have accepted the place with your local council. (Some councils assume you accept unless they are advised otherwise, please check) 
2. Email us a copy of your child’s birth certificate:  school@wps.org.uk or bring it in
3. Complete the 2 electronic forms below before Friday 9th May: 

Pupil Information Form

Home School Agreement 

Although school dinners for children in Reception are free for parents, we ask that you complete the following form to check if you are eligible for income-based free school meals.  If eligible, your child will receive free branded school uniform and the school will also pay for an after school activity club for them and of course your child will continue to receive meals for free throughout their time at Woodmansterne while they remain eligible.  The school receives extra funding for children registered for free school meals, so please do check - it is quick, easy and confidential.

Free School Meal Form 

If you are interested in a place at Woodpeckers Breakfast or After School Club, please click here for more information and here for the booking form.

Useful Diary Dates

Stay and Play sessions - children new to Woodmansterne Primary School

Monday 12th May, Tuesday 13 May or Thursday 15 May.  All sessions are 1.30pm to 2.15pm 

We invite your child to attend a stay and play session so that they can come and see their new school and we can start to get to know them. Please click on this link to book a space: www.ticketsource.co.uk/woodmansterne-primary-school. Your child only needs to attend one session and parents are asked to stay with them. 

If your child already attends Acorns Nursery, they do not need to come to a stay and play session as they already know us and we already know them.

Induction Morning - all children joining Reception in September 2025

Tuesday 17th June - 9am to 10am

You and your child are invited to our induction morning on Tuesday 17 June at 9.00am.  You are welcome on site from 8.35am although please bear in mind it is very busy in the area until 8.50am with school drop offs.  

• Parents dropping off siblings at Woodmansterne: please arrive at school as normal and make your way to the school hall with your child.
• New Woodmansterne parents: please use the gates in the road called Cedars and we will direct you to the school hall. 

At 9.00am the Reception teachers will take the children down to class and Mrs Goldsmith will give a talk to parents all about joining Reception.

We will have a number of stands available for you to see sample uniform, buy preloved uniform, collect useful resources, sample school dinners and meet our PTA who will be providing refreshments. 

September 2025 - When will my child start school?

We have a short settling in period as follows:

• 4th September - half the class in 8.50am-12.30pm including lunch - Surnames A to M (surnames N to Z are not in school this day)
• 5th September - half the class in 8.50am-12.30pm including lunch - Surnames N to Z (surnames A to M are not in school this day)
• From Monday 8th September - all children are in full time 8.50am-3.20pm**

**Please note that the school may liaise with parents to put in place different arrangements for individual children where appropriate.

Uniform

Reception children do not need PE kits for Autumn Term so please do not purchase anything at this stage, particularly as we are reviewing our uniform.

The uniform for Reception children is:   

• Black V-neck pullover or cardigan (embroidered with the Woodmansterne badge if possible)
• White polo shirt
• Grey trousers/shorts/skirt/pinafore dress
• Plain black sensible shoes, boots or plain black trainers (no colours on the trainers) - please note ballet pumps, open toed shoes or sandals are not suitable for school.
• Wellington boots
• Grey or white socks/grey tights
• Black school bookbag

The only compulsory branded item for Reception children is the school bookbag which is available from our uniform suppliers - please see the Uniform page on our website for links.  All other items can be purchased via our suppliers, at supermarkets or other clothing shops. 

Coolmilk

We are part of the Coolmilk scheme, if you would like to register your child to have milk in school please register at www.coolmilk.com (free for under 5's, payable after that).  Parents must register their child to have milk; it is not automatic.

Any Questions?

You will also find lots of information on our website.  If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to call us in the school office here at Woodmansterne Primary on 01737 353120 or email school@wps.org.uk 

Frequently asked questions

Q: Do you offer wraparound care?
A: Yes, our Woodpeckers club is open from 7.30am to 8.50am and afterschool from 3.20pm to 6pm.  It is run by the school.  For more information and to book, click here: Woodpeckers

Q: Can my child attend extra-curricular clubs if they go to Woodpeckers after school club?
A: Yes, the club coach will take them to Woodpeckers.  Please note, the Woodpeckers fees will be the same.

Q: When will club information be available?
A: Information and booking links should be on the website by the end of June.  Please note that some clubs are not open to Reception pupils in the first term but they are able to join in the Spring or Summer Terms.

Q: There are loads of gates.  Which one is used for which purpose?
A: If you have a parking permit for Walcountians Sports Club car park, you can come in that gate.  If not, please come in the gates in Merrymeet which will be open at 8.35am in the mornings and 3.10pm in the afternoons.  There is a gate by the office in a road called Cedars which is used for visitors and during the school day when the other gates are locked.  This gate is also used for Woodpeckers breakfast and after school club drop off and pick up - there is a separate button for Woodpeckers which goes through to their mobile phone.

Q: How do I buy a parking permit?
A: Parents purchase permits via our online payment system, Arbor. You will be sent login details for this once your child is fully set up on the school systems.  We will notify you when permits are available. 

Q: What is the kiss and drop system?
A: The school is on a road called Merrymeet which is U-shaped with two entrances.  Parents drive in the entrance nearest the shops.  They then drive round the 'U' and stop outside the school gates to drop their child off.  It's a bit like an American car pool system.