We are very proud of our welcoming and inclusive school community and we would love to show you round if you are looking for a school place for your child.
Despite our urban location, the school is set in lovely grounds on the western side of Reading, next to the Lousehill Copse Nature Reserve.
Our school community is wonderfully and richly diverse with families from all over the world, of all faiths and none.
As a primary school, we know that the 7 or 8 years spent with us are just a small part of a child’s journey through life. We aim to make our part of that journey an enjoyable and enriching one, that helps them to develop the knowledge, skills and understanding that will help them to grow and develop both as learners and as positive members of the wider community. We want our children to leave us excited for the future and well-prepared to take the next steps on that journey.
We hope that you will find the information you need either here or on our school website. If you can’t find what you are looking for, please do get in touch.
Catherine Doberska – Headteacher
Starting school
Children normally start school in our Early Years/Reception in September of the school year that they will have their 5th birthday.
Applications for places in Early Years are handled through the Local Authority’s common application process. This deadline for applications is 15th January.
Please remember to submit the school’s Supplementary Information Form as well!
Reading
West Berkshire (parts of Tilehurst/Calcot)
https://www.westberks.gov.uk/primary-school-admissions
Hampshire (some areas south/south west of Reading)
https://www.hants.gov.uk/educationandlearning/admissions
Wokingham (some areas east/south east of Reading)
https://www.wokingham.gov.uk/schools-and-education/school-admissions/
OVERSUBSCRIPTION CRITERIA
Children with an Education Health Care Plan which names the school have priority over other applicants
- Baptised Catholic ‘Looked After Children’ and ‘Previously Looked After Children’
- Baptised Catholic children with a sibling* attending the school at the time of proposed admission of applicant
- Other baptised Catholic children
- Other ‘Looked After Children’ and ‘Previously Looked After Children’
- Other children with a sibling* attending the school at the time of proposed admission of applicant
- Children with a baptised Catholic parent/carer
- Children of families who are members of other Christian denominations
- Children of other religious faiths
- Any other children
*Please see our website for the full admissions policy with the definition of “sibling” and other key terms.
Applications in faith-based categories (1-3 and 6-8) MUST be supported by a completed Supplementary Information Form and a copy of the relevant documentation (see SIF for more information).
Where there are more applicants than places in a category, distance from home to school is used as a tie-breaker.
NB – schools are NOT allowed to give priority to children attending their in-house Nursery Classes
Joining the school in other year groups
We have two classes per year group.
There are 60 places in each Year Group in Key Stage 1 – 30 per class.
There are 64 places in each Year Group in Key Stage 2 – 32 per class.
Spaces do become available from time to day and we welcome enquiries from families who are interested in joining our school community.
“In-year” applications can be made at any time, via your Local Authority, and schools/Local Authorities aim to respond to any applications within 15 days, although this can take longer during school holidays.
Please contact the school office to if you would like to make an appointment to look round or if you would like to find out more about current places in different year groups.
Nursery CLASS
Our Nursery runs in school term time only and has 26 places per session for 3 year olds.
Children can attend full-time (morning + afternoon) or part-time (morning or afternoon).
Children will normally start in the term AFTER their third birthday.
The application deadlines are:
- September start apply by May 31st
- January start apply by October 31st
- Start of summer term apply by February 1st
To apply for a place in the Nursery please contact the school office.
Over-subscription criteria
In the event that there are more applications than available places, then the applications will be prioritised according to the following criteria.
- Children with an EHCP plan which names English Martyrs School will take priority over all other applicants.
- Children in care of a Local Authority
- Children who are entitled to a funded 30 hours place
- Children who are baptised into the Catholic faith
- Children who have a sibling in the School at the time of admission
- All other applicants
School day
The gates open at 8.30am and the school day starts at 8.40am.
Registration closes at 8.50am.
Children have an outdoor break part-way through the morning session (staggered timings, depending on year group).
Lunch-time is also staggered, depending on year group.
The school day finishes at:
3.05pm (Key Stage 1)
3.10pm (Key Stage 2)
3.15pm (Nursery)
BREAKFAST + AFTER SCHOOL CLUB
Breakfast Club is open from 7.30am until the start of school.
A healthy and nutritious breakfast is provided.
After School Club is available each day until 6pm.
During each session, children have the chance to play, have a light meal and read or start homework.
A charge is payable for both clubs.
Both clubs are open to all year groups (inc. Nursery and Early Years).
Places MUST be booked in advance