School and Nursery Admissions

We are always pleased to show new parents around our school and answer any further questions you may have.

Please arrange a mutually convenient time either by telephone or by calling at the school. We also hold an open afternoon in May to allow parents to see an active school day, discuss and order uniform and find out more about curriculum, play, lunches etc. Children are admitted into our Reception class in the September following their fourth birthday.

Cleves Cross Primary and Nursery School is an Academy run by the Melrose Learning Trust but we do continue to follow the Admission Policy of Durham County Council and therefore completed application forms should be returned to County Hall as soon as possible. Following the acceptance of a place, arrangements are made for a series of introductory visits during the summer term prior to admission, to enable children to become familiar with their classroom, their teacher and their new school.

The school admission limit is currently 30 pupils.

School Admissions

Full details of the admission arrangements can be found in the Primary and Secondary Admissions brochure produced by Durham County Council.

Visit the Durham County Council website for information regarding the school admission process and School admission arrangements 2026/27 – Durham County Council. 

In-Year Admissions Arrangements

Durham County Council’s admissions team co-ordinate in-year admissions on behalf of School. An in-year admission is when a parent wishes to apply for a place in school outside of the normal rounds of entry, e.g. starting primary school in Reception. Should you wish to apply to transfer to our school, please use the link below to find out more about in-year admissions and transfers and how to apply:

Apply to change school during the school year – Durham County Council

Appeals

To find out how to appeal against an admission decision and for full details of our appeals timeline, please visit: Appeal – Durham County Council

Nursery Admissions

Children may be registered for a place in our Nursery as soon as you wish.  When a place becomes available, the Nursery teacher will invite you to come along with your child for a visit before they start.  This will give you and your child the opportunity to learn more about our Nursery. Please fill in the application form below to register your child for a place in our Nursery. You will be contacted individually to inform them of start dates for their child.

Click here to go to the Nursery Admissions Application Form.

Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)

We are committed to meeting the needs of all children including those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities. We would ask parents to discuss the identified needs with the school prior to starting so that appropriate intervention and support can be planned and implemented. Advice from the LA or other agencies may be requested to ensure any the school can meet any needs appropriately.

Applying for a school place if your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan or a Statement of SEN

Children and young people with an Education, Health and Care Plan (or Statement of Special Education Needs) follow a different admission and transfer process for a new school.  Please continue to complete Durham County Council’s parental preference form, as part of the admission process to a new school.  You continue to have a right to request a particular school and this will be considered alongside the information that we have about your child’s special educational needs.  The information would have been provided as part of the Education, Health and Care assessment or following the review meeting.

If you would like to discuss your SEND requirements in detail please contact the school to arrange an appointment.