Reception Admissions

This page provides parents and carers looking for a Reception place with comprehensive information about 

  • reasons for choosing Heathbrook
  • our ‘catchment’ area
  • how we provide a smooth transition 
  • visiting our inspiring school 
  • applying for a deferred place
  • our admissions criteria

Why Heathbrook?

We are the school of choice for families seeking high academic standards, a strong community ethos and an inspiring bespoke curriculum. Over 80% of our parents and carers decide to travel to us past other more local schools for our incredible environment and facilities as well as our Community Curriculum with its strong focus on the arts, music, outdoor learning and sport [follow the link to our Instagram account]. Families are also attracted by our huge range of before and after school activities and extended day from 7.30am until 6pm. Staff and parents have also worked in partnership to develop bespoke, affordable and safe holiday childcare using the school premises and school staff the children already know.

On our Instagram page you can also hear some of our parents and carers explaining what they love about Heathbrook and why lots of them travel further to be part of our community:


At a time when most other large primary schools locally have had to reduce their intake, our strong reputation has kept us strong and stable. We have retained our two-form entry status (up to 60 pupils in each year group) and the additional funding we receive due these higher pupil numbers enables us to fund a full-time music teacher, a full-time sports coach as well as a senior pastoral lead.

‘Catchment’ Area

Due to our popularity, prospective parents regularly ask about our ‘catchment area’. Successful applications for all schools depend on a range of factors which vary from year to year. This map shows where families of Reception children who recently joined us live:

Parents and carers frequently ask us about the government’s (national) admissions preference system. Please read helpful admissions guidance explaining this ‘preference’ system more clearly.

Transition into Reception

We provide a range of activities to ensure that children have a smooth transition into school. These include in-school sessions during the summer term before the long break to develop positive bonds with staff and the learning environment; children and parents even have a chance to try our delicious school meals! At the start of the autumn term, teaching staff will also provide home visits to strengthen our partnership with parents and carers.

School Visits

We strongly encourage parents and carers to take up one of the many opportunities to visit the school prior to applying for a place. Our headteacher will welcome you, provide an extensive tour and answer any questions you may have. Please complete our short Reception Tour Booking Form to confirm a place. You can also contact a member of our Office Team on 020 7622 4101 or email admissions@heathbrook.org if you have any further questions.

Here is some of the feedback from parents and carers who have visited:

“It really is a very special place with a wonderful vibe.”
“I was really struck by the school in terms of its opportunities, atmosphere, facilities and ambition.”
“The teachers and the children all seemed very calm, engaged and happy.”
“There is such a unique warmth and happiness about Heathbrook”
“I could see it’s worth travelling further for. We are very impressed!”

Delayed/Deferred Places

Over recent years, we have worked with a number of our families to ensure a successful deferred place as applications have increased nationally. Our admissions team has lots of experience of working with local authorities in the best interests of children and families in specific contexts.

Selection Criteria

Our selection criteria is the same as all other Lambeth Community schools, which is as follows:

  1. Looked after children. A ‘looked after child’ is a child who is in the care of a local authority or provided with accommodation by that authority – according to section 20 of the Children Act 1989.
  2. Children with a brother or sister who already attends the school, and would not have left the school at the time of admission. A sibling is defined as a full/half/step brother or sister, living at the same address, a child who is living as part of the family by reason of a court order, or a child who has been placed with foster carers at that address as a result of being looked after by the Local Authority.
  3. Children with a professionally supported medical or social need that the school is especially able to meet. Admissions decisions will be taken by Lambeth’s Children and Young People’s Service (CYPS) MEDSOC panel. Letters from an appropriate professional must support these applications although these will not always be conclusive.
  4. Priority will be given on the basis of distance, between the child’s home and the school, measured by a straight-line.

For further information on Lambeth’s criteria for community schools, please read Lambeth’s primary admissions information 2026-27.