Buckden C.E Primary School
Admissions
Class Structure Update – September 2026
We would like to share an update about our class organisation from September 2026.
Over the past few years, pupil numbers at Buckden have gradually reduced. As school funding is based on the number of children on roll, this has meant a decrease in available funding, alongside rising day-to-day costs.
To ensure we continue to provide a high-quality education while keeping the school financially sustainable, we will be moving from 14 classes to 12.
From September 2026, our class structure will be:
- Two EYFS classes
- Two Year 1 classes
- Three Year 2/3 classes
- Three Year 4/5 classes
- Two Year 6 classes
Class sizes will remain well within national expectations. We are also pleased to be keeping single year group classes in Reception, Year 1 and Year 6, where focused teaching at these key stages is especially important.
Some mixed-age classes will be introduced. This is a well-established approach used in many primary schools and, when carefully planned, supports children’s confidence, independence and strong relationships.
We understand that changes like these can feel significant, and we want to reassure you that every decision has been made carefully, with children’s learning, wellbeing and the long-term future of the school at the heart of our thinking.
Looking ahead, we are hopeful that pupil numbers will grow again as local developments progress, and we will review our structure if numbers rise.
June 2026
Our pupil admission number (PAN) is 350, and we currently have spaces in the following year groups. This information is updated regularly.
Year Groups
Reception - Spaces
Year 1 - Spaces
Year 2 - Spaces
Year 3 - Spaces
Year 4 - Spaces
Year 5 - Spaces
Year 6 - Spaces
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call the school office on:
01480 810241
Or email office@bpa.act-academytrust.org
We look forward to welcoming you to our school.
In-Year Admissions
To apply for a place at Buckden CE Primary Academy, you will need to apply through Cambridgeshire County Council Admissions.
Cambridgeshire has a Parents' School Preference Adviser for Cambridgeshire, as part of the SENDIASS team. The service offers families advice and support when applying for schools, either when admissions open for transition or for in-year applications. The advisor is able to advise on how the transfer and admissions process works, as well as support the understanding of policies and criteria for different schools. Also, they can support in the appeals process and issues concerning transport.
For further details and help, please email: Choosingaschool@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
School Admission Appeals
Cambridgeshire Local Authority (LA) is responsible for all school admission appeals.
School places are allocated on the basis of the Published Admission Number (PAN) for the year group and the admissions criteria set by the LA.
Details of organising and hearing admission appeals can be found through Cambridgeshire County Council - Appeals
Over-subscription Criteria
Children who have a Statement of Special Educational Need (SEN) / Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) that names the school will be admitted. NB. Those children with a statement of SEN / ECHP that does not name the school will be referred to Student Assessment to determine an appropriate place.
- Children in Care, also known as Looked After Children (LAC), and children who were previously looked after but ceased to be so by reason of adoption, a resident order (now known as a child arrangement order) or special guardianship order.
- Children living in the catchment area with a sibling at the school (or a partner junior school) at the time of admission.
- Children living in the catchment area.
- Children living outside the catchment area who have a sibling at the school (or a partner junior school) at the time of admission.
- Children living outside the catchment area who have applied and been unable to gain a place at their Cambridgeshire catchment area school because of over-subscription.
- Children who live outside the catchment area, but nearest the school, as measured by a straight line.
Under each criterion, in cases of equal merit, priority will go to children living nearest the school as measured by a straight line.
2027 Reception Intake
If your child was born between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2023, and you live in Cambridgeshire you need to apply for Reception for September 2027.
Applications for Reception children will open in September 2026. For further information please visit Cambridgeshire County Council Admissions.
The deadline for applications is 15th January 2027, the national offer date is 16th April 2027.