Welcome
Kentmere Academy and Nursery is a pre-school nursery and primary school in Rochdale. We are an Ofsted Outstanding school with above national average performance. Our reputation is excellent in the local area and beyond, with Kentmere Academy and Nursery being an increasingly popular choice.
We have a history of success and provide a safe, fun and stimulating environment in which to learn. We have lots of outdoor space and facilities, a free breakfast club and a wide range of free after school enrichment clubs.
We welcome you to come and visit the school and see for yourself why we are outstanding. Click here for a virtual tour.
Nicola Howard, Headteacher.
Our reputation is excellent in the local area and beyond, with Kentmere Academy and Nursery being an increasingly popular choice.
Parents are warmly invited to visit the school by appointment or by attending one of our open days to help them choose the best place for their child. You will be invited to tour the school and see the curriculum in action. The Headteacher and other members of staff will be available to answer any questions and you will have the opportunity to tell us more about your child. This helps us to ensure your child settles into their new school. We encourage you to visit the school before choosing a place for your child.
‘The school has created a strong sense of community.‘
Ofsted 2024
Prospectus
Our prospectus will provide you with summary information on key aspects of the school. This, together with the information on the website will hopefully answer any questions you might have.
Admissions
Starting Reception Class – September 2026
In order to apply to Kentmere Academy and Nursery you must apply online by completing an online application via: Rochdale Borough Council – Apply for a Primary School Place.
Contact Admissions services school.admissions@rochdale.gov.uk or telephone 0300 303 0340
Deadline for applying for Reception places for 2026 has now passed (Thursday 15th January 2026).
Places in primary schools are allocated by the admission authority.
Kentmere Academy and Nursery has a published admission number (PAN) of 45 pupils.
| Timetable for Applying for a Primary School Place | |
| Monday, 15 September 2025 | The online admissions system opens for primary school places starting in September 2026. |
|---|---|
| Thursday, 15 January 2026 | Closing date for applications Ensure your reception class application for a primary school is submitted before this date. Otherwise, you will need to apply for a late application. |
| Friday, 13 February 2026 | Last date for any changes to the address in your application. |
| Thursday, 16 April 2026 | National offer day. |
| Sunday, 10 May 2026 | Closing date for Round 2 applications. |
| Friday, 5 June 2026 | Round 2 offers are sent. |
| Saturday, 6 June 2026 | Online applications re-open. The online admissions system re-opens for primary school places starting in September 2026. |
| Monday, 31 August 2026 | Final closing date for applications. |
Secondary School Applications
https://www.rochdale.gov.uk/school-admissions-appeals/apply-secondary-school-place
Nursery Admissions
To apply to the nursery, complete and return this form to the School Office. View our Nursery page here for more information.
Policies
The following criteria will be applied to determine which pupils have priority for admission:
CHILDREN WITH an EDUCATION, HEALTH and CARE PLAN (EHCP). Where pupils have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) that names Kentmere Academy, the Governing Body has a statutory duty to admit those pupils. This means that children with an EDUCATION, HEALTH and CARE PLAN (EHCP) which names Kentmere Academy will be allocated a place before any other places are allocated:-
- Looked after children, previously Looked After Children and Internationally Adopted Looked After Children.
- Social and Medical Need
- Siblings
- Children eligible for Service Premium
- Children of staff
- Children attending Kentmere Nursery
- Distance from school
For more information on our admissions policies, please see our centralised policies page.
If you are unhappy with our application process you can make an objection to the ‘Office of the Schools Adjudicator’.
If you require more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us directly or you can contact Rochdale Council via the details below:
school.admissions@rochdale.gov.uk
01706 925982
School Admissions / Early Help and Schools
Number One Riverside, Smith Street, Rochdale OL16 1XU
Waiting List
Waiting List Protocol
Thank you for considering Kentmere Academy as your preferred school.
My child has not been allocated a place in reception.
If your child has not been allocated a reception place, parents should fill out a waiting list application. This will then be kept on file to be considered should a place become available. At any point, you can contact the school to have the request withdrawn.
I would like my child to attend Kentmere but there are no places available:
If you wish to be considered for available places in the future, parents must fill out a waiting list application. The school will contact parents if a place can be offered. At the start of each academic year the school will contact parents to confirm that you wish to stay on the waiting list.
How are places allocated from the waiting list:
When a place becomes available, the school will apply its oversubscription criteria as set out in the admission policy. Parents will then be contacted to confirm the acceptance of the place. If your child is currently in another school, you will need to complete an ‘in year transfer form’ and have it signed by the current school’s headteacher. Once we receive this we will begin the process of admitting your child.
If you have any further questions please contact the school office.
PLEASE NOTE: Your child’s details will be held on the waiting list until the end of the school year. An email or text will be sent during July each year asking if you wish to remain on the waiting list. If we do not get a response, your child’s details will be removed from the waiting list.
It is important that your contact details are kept up to date so that we can contact you should a place become available. Please contact school if your circumstances or contact details change.
Appeals and Funding
Further Information about School Admission Appeals can be found on the tab opposite.
The School Admission Appeals Timetable and additional information can be found under the document tab opposite.
- Appeals lodged after these dates will be heard within the timescales set out in the School Admission Appeals Code.
- Appellants will be sent notification of their appeal hearing along with a copy of the school’s case at least 14 days in advance of the hearing.
- Further Information about School Admission Appeals can be found here:
- Rochdale Council Website
- Department for Education Website
Appeal Timescales
If your appeal is received on time then it will be heard within the dates outlined above. Appeals lodged after these dates will be heard within 40 school days of the appeal deadline or within 30 school days of being lodged, whichever is the later date. Appeals for in-year transfers will continue to be heard within 30 school days of receipt of the appeal.
You will be sent notification of your appeal hearing along with a copy of the school’s case at least 10 school days in advance of the hearing. If you wish to submit further evidence that was not included with your initial appeal, you must ensure that we receive it at least 5 working days before the hearing date. Any additional evidence or information received after this date might not be considered at the appeal hearing.
NURSERY FUNDING
- Please click here for dates when you can start to claim for Nursery
- Please click here for further information on 30 Hours Funding for Nursery
- For additional charges for Nursery (September 2026) click here
- Gov.uk – Childcare & Parenting Please follow the link to check your eligibility and how to apply and get a code for 30 hours free childcare
