Admissions

In Bexley, the local authority decides to admit children to community schools from Nursery to Year 6.  For the full procedure and to apply for a place at Upton, please visit the London Borough of Bexley Admissions website here.  Bexley has also published a booklet titled ' Born Ready, School Ready, Bexley Read '  which provides practical advice for parents and carers of children aged 0 - 5.  This booklet can be found below.

Nursery

From September 2026, we will be continuing with our Nursery Provision and offering the following:

• morning session 8.40 am to 11.40 am

26 places.

We can offer 30-hour places (all day 8:40 pm - 3:00 pm) subject to eligibility and availability.  Please note that the school does have several siblings entering Nursery each year so this does reduce the catchment area of the school.

Requests for preferred sessions (a.m. or all day) and expressions of interest in the 30-hour offer should be made in writing directly to the school, once offered places have been accepted, and will be dealt with in order of receipt. All children will be admitted in September (subject to spaces being available)

Children born between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2023 will be due to start in Nursery in September 2026.

We will be having two meetings for prospective Nursery parents on:

Tuesday 3rd February 2026 : 3:45pm – 4:30pm

Tuesday 3rd March 2026 : 3:45pm – 4:30pm

If you would like to attend, please contact the school office from the 22nd September 2025 to reserve a place.

Reception

Upton will admit 60 children in total between two Reception classes each September.  Please note that the school has a number of siblings entering Reception each year, so this reduces the catchment area of the school.

Information regarding the primary schools available in Bexley together with full details on the application process is available here:  https://www.bexley.gov.uk/services/schools-and-education/primary-schools/starting-primary-school

Children born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022 will be due to start in Reception in September 2026.

The following days and times have been allocated for the Reception Meetings:   

This meeting will allow for viewing a presentation with senior leaders, viewing the EYFS learning environment, and asking questions.  Please note that spaces are limited to 2 per family and we advise you not to bring any children with you due to space.

Tuesday 18th November 2025 from 3.45 pm - 4.30 pm

Tuesday 25th November 2025 from 3.45 pm - 4.30 pm

To book a place, please contact the school office on 0208 303 7266 from the week commencing 22nd September 2025.  

Offers for places to on-time applicants will be made on 16th April 2026

Admission criteria to Nursery and Reception

If there are more applications than places available, the London Borough of Bexley will use its over-subscription criteria to decide which applicants should be offered a place. The over-subscription criteria differ for Nursery and Reception so it is important to check the following criteria when applying for a place for your child:

Nursery - https://www.bexley.gov.uk/services/schools-and-education/admission-nursery-classes/applying-nursery-class-place

Reception - https://www.bexley.gov.uk/services/schools-and-education/primary-schools/admission-primary-schools-25-26/community-and-voluntary-controlled-schools

Please note that parents/carers applying for a place on behalf of a Looked After Child or Post LAC application should read the updated information here.

In–Year School Admissions (all year groups)

Upton is a thriving and popular, over-subscribed school, however, places do sometimes become available during the year, when families move away or change schools. Parents/carers seeking an in-year admission should do so directly to the Local Authority (LA) via the link below.  Once an application is made to the LA, they will inform the school, who will respond within 5 days as to whether a place can be offered or not.  The LA will offer places on behalf of schools and advise the applicant of the right of appeal at schools unable to offer.   If the school can offer a place, they will then contact the family and invite you and your child to visit our school before you decide to take up the offer of a place.  You will also have the opportunity to meet your child’s teacher, and their class, and to familiarise yourself with our building.  Once you have accepted the offer and completed all relevant documentation, your child will usually join us within the following two weeks.

https://www.bexley.gov.uk/services/schools-and-education/year-applications/applying-school-year

Applying for Secondary School Places

The applications to start Secondary school in 2026,opens from 1st September 2025 and closes on 31st October 2025.  For parents of year 6 children who will sit the Bexley selective schools test (11+), you must still complete the application for all schools before the deadline.

The 11+ test will take place on 9th September 2025 and parents should wait for selection test results before submitting their preferences.  

Information regarding the secondary schools available in Bexley together with full details on the application process are available here: https://www.bexley.gov.uk/services/schools-and-education/secondary-schools/admission-secondary-schools-25-26/message-parents