Starting Primary School (reception admissions for September 2026 entry)
Starting Primary School (reception admissions for September 2026 entry)
The staff, governing body and pupils of St Helen’s Catholic Primary School would welcome your applying for a place at our school.
To do this you must follow the correct process for your child’s age as detailed below.
We are an academy school which means we are our own admission authority but to ensure continuity across the borough we follow the London Borough of Newham’s admissions processes.
All applications for this school must be made through London Borough of Newham’s Pupil Services, not this school.
Reception Admission for September 2026 entry
For all children born from 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022 inclusive, their parents/carers will need to apply for a reception class place in an infant or primary school for September 2025 entry.
National closing date for on time reception applications 15 January 2026
National offer date for on time reception applicants 16 April 2026
All reception 2026 applications must be made through the family’s home local authority.
For children living in Newham, families must apply via London Borough of Newham.
For children living outside Newham, whose family wants them to attend this school their application must be made through their home borough naming this school as a preference on their application.
Remember, parents/carers must apply for a reception place in this school, even if the child:
- Attends our nursery
OR
- Has a brother or sister attending this school.
Before submitting a reception application we strongly recommend all families read the autumn 2024 edition of the local authorities ‘Starting Primary School’ guide and find out information about the school you are interested in.
Starting School in Newham 2026
Other information to help with your September 2026 application can be found at:
Newham Primary School Admissions
The Pan London eAdmissions portal opens on 1 September 2025 for September 2026 reception applications:
Guidance on creating an eAdmissions account and applying
Supplementary Information Form (SIF)
As part of our admission arrangements we require a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) if an applicant wants their child to be considered under our faith based criteria (priority groups). If an applicant does not complete and submit a SIF or does not want to be considered under our faith based criteria (priority groups) the child will be automatically added to the lowest priority group when we rank the applications.
A SIF is not an application form so cannot be considered unless an application is made.
Supplementary Information Form (SIF)
Deadline for on time Supplementary Information Forms (SIFs) – 15 January 2026
Newham Catholic Deanery Admission Criteria
School Finder
We recommend you use the Newham School Finder tool to determine the location of your preferred Newham schools and calculate home to school distances.
https://www.newham.gov.uk/schools-education/school-finder
Applying to St Helen's
We welcome admissions from all families (all faiths and backgrounds), and we would strongly recommend that you attend one of our admission meetings and a tour of the school on one of the following dates.
Applying to Reception Information Meeting
Wednesday 1st Oct 2026 at 6pm
Reception Open Days and Tours
Wed 8th Oct and Wed 15th Oct at 9:00am or 2:00pm
Or by appointment - please call the school office to book a tour.
We will continue to support you in the application process to ensure that you are successful in your application. We have compiled a range of information and support resources to help you with your application.
We are also happy to support parents with one-to-one meetings. Please contact our office.
For further information please see our Applying to Reception (September 2025)
Please also find enclosed:
St Helen's Admissions Power Point
St Helen's Day in the Life PowerPoint
Reception Life Video
School Video
