Joining Reception

Reception Places

Each year we admit 60 children into our Reception classes. You can find out how places were allocated in previous years via this link.

Allocation of Reception School Places - Newcastle Local Authority

For information, this will also show that on the distance criteria for 2026, the last Reception place was offered to a family living only 0.46 miles away.

• 2025 was 0.38 of a mile
• 2024 was 0.55 of a mile
• 2023 was 0.45 of a mile.

If your place at Archibald would be given according to the distance criteria, please consider this in relation to your home address.

Reception Application Process

Applications for September 2027 will be available to the public from the beginning of  September 2026 via the Newcastle City Council webpage. Parents are encouraged to use ALL FOUR preferences, to apply online and to apply on time.

Closing date:  15 January 2027 (TBC)

Please note that applications must be submitted to the Local Authority and not to the school. School places are offered directly from the Local Authority.

Visits to Reception

If you are looking to join us in September 2027, we would like to invite you as a prospective parent into school for a tour of our Early Years setting and the wider school. These visits are for parents of children starting Reception in September 2027.

Prospective Parent visits have been scheduled for the following dates and times. Appointments can be booked from 21st September 2026. Please contact us from this date only.

2026

• Tuesday 29th September 9.30-10.30am
• Wednesday 7th October 9.30-10.30am
• Thursday 15th October 4.00-5.00pm
• Tuesday 20th October 4.00-5.00pm
• Wednesday 4th November 9.30-10.30am
• Monday 9th November 4.00-5.00pm
• Thursday 19th November 9.30-10.30am
• Wednesday 25th November 9.30-10.30am

2027

• Wednesday 6th January 4.00-5.00pm
• Tuesday 12th January 9.30-10.30am

These visits will be held in groups of up to 10 adults with one or two members of the school staffing team. The visits are for adults only and a maximum of two adults per family.

If you would like to book a visit on one of the above dates, please email office@archibaldfirstschool.co.uk with the dates you are able to join us, the number of spaces you require (1 or 2) and a contact number. The school admin team will be back in touch with you as soon as possible to confirm if you have a place and on which date.

Visit slots are in high demand. If you find you are unable to make your appointment, we ask that you let us know as we operate a waiting list.