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Admissions

Welcome to the admissions hub for Burnside Primary School. Choosing the right setting for your child’s care and education is one of the most significant milestones your family will experience. Whether you are looking for specialised childcare for a two-year-old, a vibrant nursery environment, or a primary school place for an older child, we are here to guide you through every step of the process.

At Burnside, our school motto is the foundation of our entire community: Be Safe, Be Smart, Be Kind. We ensure that this ethos guides our induction process, making every child feel safe, happy, and welcomed into their new learning environment from day one.

Because we offer an integrated care and education pathway from ages 2 to 11, the admissions process is divided depending on your child's age group. Please select the correct pathway below to find the specific criteria, application forms, and deadlines for your family.

Statutory Admissions Notice for All Parents

Please read this vital regulatory notice before applying for any early years place:

Burnside Primary School directly administers the admissions for our two-year-old provision (Budding Explorers) and our three-year-old provision (Burnside Nursery). Please be aware that securing a place for your child in either our Childcare or our Nursery does not guarantee them a place in our main primary school (Reception class). Applications for a compulsory school place in Reception must be made separately through the Local Authority coordinated admissions scheme.

Pathway 1: School-Run Childcare (Budding Explorers)

For children aged 2 to 3 years old.

  • Admissions Authority: Managed directly by Burnside Primary School.

  • Admissions Window: Applications can be submitted directly to the school office at any point after your child’s first birthday.

  • Funding & Fees: We accept working parent government funding allocations alongside private self-funded bookings.

  • How to Apply: Please visit our dedicated Childcare Section to download the application form, check session availability, and view current extended care fees.

Pathway 2: Burnside Nursery & Rising 3s

For children aged 3 to 4 years old (from the term following their third birthday).

  • Admissions Authority: Managed directly by Burnside Primary School.

  • Intake Periods: Our main intake occurs in September, with additional specialised intakes for our "Rising 3s" cohort during the Spring and Summer terms.

  • Funding & Sessions: We accommodate both the universal 15-hour entitlement (part-time morning sessions) and the extended 30-hour working parent entitlement (all-day sessions).

  • How to Apply: Please visit our dedicated Burnside Nursery Admissions Page to view our full admissions criteria, download the application pack, and explore our virtual nursery tour.

Pathway 3: Main Primary School (Reception to Year 6)

For children aged 4 to 11 years old.

  • Admissions Authority: Administered externally by Northumberland County Council.

  • Reception Entry: Children are eligible to start in our Reception classes in the September following their fourth birthday. The statutory national application window opens in November and closes in mid-January each academic year.

  • How to Apply: Applications for a standard Reception place must be completed online via the Northumberland County Council Admissions Portal. The school cannot accept direct applications for this phase.

In-Year Applications & Mid-Year Transfers

We warmly welcome families moving into the Cramlington area or transferring from other schools at any stage of the academic year, across all Key Stages.

If you wish to apply for an "In-Year" transfer for a child in Year 1 through to Year 6, you must apply directly through the Northumberland County Council admissions team, who maintain our primary school waiting lists. However, we highly recommend contacting our school business team first to check current space availability in your child's specific year group phase.

Visit Our School

The absolute best way to experience the happy, purposeful atmosphere at Burnside is to see it in action. We run regular scheduled tours for perspective parents across our early years, infant, and junior phases, led by members of our senior leadership team.

To book a personal tour or to ask a specific question regarding our school structure, please reach out to our administration team.

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