From Primary School

Applying for a secondary school place at Kingdown School

All applications for places at Kingdown School must go through the Schools Admissions Team at Wiltshire County Council. The deadline for applications for Year 7 places for September 2023 is 31st October 2022. The Schools Admissions Team processes the applications and sends letters to parents offering places during the following March. If any parent misses the October deadline, they must still submit a “late” application to the School's Admissions Team.

The quickest way to complete an application is to download the application form from the Wiltshire County Council’s website.

Contact details for the Admissions Team:

Schools Admissions Team
Wiltshire Council
County Hall
Trowbridge
BA14 8JN

01225 713010

 

Primary Transition Timeline 2022/23

(31 October 2022 Admission Deadline for parent applications)

 

Event

Date Time

Information

Open day and tours

July 2021 -

This event has passed

Deadline for applications

31st October 2021

This event has passed

Letter from County to confirm your place

March 2022

 

Modern Foreign languages (MFL) preference letter to primaries

 

March 2022

 

Heads of House visit Primary Schools

June 2022

Packs of information will be handed out to pupils

New Year 7 Parents evening

6th July

 

Induction Days

11th & 12th July

 

Additional SEN Inductions Days

TBC

 

Summer School

TBC

 

 

Primary School Visits

Liaison between Kingdown School and each primary school in the area is a very important process and every effort is made by all concerned to make the transfer a smooth and positive one.

There are at least three occasions when Kingdown School staff have contact with each primary school before the new school year in September:

  • Heads of House from Kingdown School host Parents’ meetings during March and April.  General introductions to Kingdown School and explanations of the transfer process are given to parents via Primary Schools.
  • Heads of House will visit all feeder Primary Schools to talk to Year 6 teachers about their students between April and June.  Information concerning Gifted and Talented students and those with special needs requiring additional support in the classroom is exchanged.
  • A Head of House will visit each (catchment area) Primary School in May to talk to Year 6 students about their transfer to Kingdown School and help with any questions that students may have ahead of their move.

Curriculum Support at Kingdown School will arrange additional visits to discuss special needs students if required.

Visiting Kingdown – Induction Days

These visits are a very important part of our transfer programme. All Year 6 students are invited to attend two full days at Kingdown School in July.

  • The Year 6 induction days will be held on Monday 11th July & Tuesday 12th July 2022.
  • Each day will run from 8.25am to 3.10pm
  • Day One will consist of house activities and team building
  • During days two and three normal timetabled lessons will take place, giving the children a more rounded, fuller experience of the Kingdown curriculum.
  • Parents are responsible for transport to and from Kingdown School (we regret that it is not possible for Year 6 to travel on the Kingdown School catchment area buses and forecast numbers are difficult to predict).
  • Students will meet their new tutor and join their tutor group.
  • Students will be required to bring a packed lunch – there are drinks fountains in school from which water bottles can be filled up.

Students who are joining us from out of catchment, may also attend these induction days.

Curriculum Links with Primary Schools

We have developed a very successful transition programme with a focus on cross-curricular skills.  Work in English, Mathematics, Science and Humanities is started at the end of Year 6 and continues in Year 7.

It is a vital link between Key Stage 2 and Key Stage 3, ensuring that all students make a confident start to their Year 7 curriculum.

House and Tutor Groups for Year 7

The most important unit for all students at Kingdown is their House/Tutor Group.  Tutor Groups usually stay the same from Year 7 to Year 13 with newcomers into Year 7 and Year 13 leaving.  Tutors will usually remain with the same group.

The beginning of the new school year

All Year 7 students begin the new academic year in September 2022 to begin Term 1.

All Year 7 students meet in the Main Hall where they will sit in their House groups.  Staff will be on hand to show students where to go and what to do.  After a short welcome from the Headteacher and other senior staff, students leave the hall with Sixth Form members of their tutor group and go to their tutor room where they will receive their personal organiser and timetable.

Later they will meet their Head of House for a short assembly.

The remainder of the day will be spent in timetabled lessons. No PE kit will be required on the first day.

Who to contact

If you have any questions about the primary transistion, please contact:

Mr Gunstone, Assistant Headteacher

Documents

Primary to Secondary School Data Transfer Form for parentsCashless Catering Form for parents