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 2025, the last Reception place was offered to a family living only 0.38 miles away.

• 2024 was 0.55 of a mile
• 2023 was 0.45 of a mile.
• 2022 was 0.59 of a mile.
• 2021 was 0.52 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 2026 will be available to the public from the beginning of  September 2025 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 2026 (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 2026, 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 2026.

Prospective Parent visits have been scheduled for the following dates and times. Appointments can be booked from 22nd September 2025.

2025

• Tuesday 30th September 9.30am
• Thursday 9th October 4pm
• Tuesday 14th October 9.30am
• Wednesday 22nd October 4pm
• Thursday 6th November 9.30am
• Monday 10th November 4pm
• Monday 17th November 9.30am
• Thursday 26th November 4pm

2026

• Thursday 8th January 9.30am
• Monday 12th January 4pm

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.