Admissions

In Bexley, the Local Authority makes decisions about admitting children to schools.  In-year admissions are also made via the Local Authority and places are offered according to availability of spaces.

For full procedures and to apply for a space at Gravel Hill please refer to Bexley Admissions: www.bexley.gov.uk/services/schools-and-education/primary-schools/admission-primary-schools-26-27

Nursery

• Parents are invited to apply for the places in our Nursery for September 2026.
• You will need to apply directly with Bexley Council school admissions
• We have provision for 26 part time morning placements offering 15 hours per week only.

Reception

• Children born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022 will be due to start in Reception in September 2026. The application period will be open on 1 September 2025 and the closing date is 15 January 2026.
• Parents are invited to apply for places in our Reception for September 2026 and are advised to consult the following link: https://www.bexley.gov.uk/services/schools-and-education/primary-schools/starting-primary-school 

• The Published Admission Number (PAN) for Reception is 60 pupils. Gravel Hill will admit 60 pupils into the two Reception classes each September

• Applications for Reception places must be submitted to Bexley admissions

  Important dates for parents applying for a reception place

  • 1 September 2025 - Application period starts
  • 15 January 2026 - Closing date for applications. Don’t be late!
  • Offers of places to on-time applicants will be made on 16 April 2026

Parents/carers who are not offered a place for their child will be entitled to appeal to an independent committee under the provisions of the:

School Standards and Framework Act, 1998.

A service level agreement has been taken out with Local Authority Independent Appeals Services and Clerks Associates to carry out the role of clerk to administer appeals hearings.

In-year Admissions

If you have recently been informed by Bexley admissions that your child has been allocated a place at Gravel Hill, you will be contacted by the school and invited to visit with your child.  Parents will be asked to complete an online application form to process the admission. Once all relevant documentation has been completed and received, your child will be able to start at Gravel Hill.

 Myth busters – get the facts!

Admissions Policy 

Where the number of applications for admission exceeds the number of places available, all applications will be considered in accordance with our 'over-subscription criteria':

• LAC
• Sibling
• Health, Social and Special Access
• Children of Staff
• Distance

Full admissions arrangements, including oversubscription criteria, can be found on the Trust Website. You can access this by clicking here

Primary School Appeals Timetable 2026

Admission appeals

Parents have the right to appeal a decision not to offer a place. Parents will be allowed at least 20 school days from the date of notification that their application was unsuccessful to submit an appeal.

Appellants will receive at least 10 school days’ notice of the appeal hearing.

Deadlines will also be set for:

- submission of additional evidence by appellants

- Submission of the admission authority's case

- circulation of appeal papers to all parties in advance of the hearing

Appeals will be heard by an independent panel in accordance with the School Admissions Appeals Code.

Please see below the timetable for appeals: