Thank you for considering Parkwood Primary School as a school for your child starting in September 2026. We feel this would be a brilliant choice and we are delighted to be able to share further information with you on this page.
Tours of the School
We welcome prospective parents to visit our school and immerse themselves in our environment ahead of applying for a place. We hope to give you a really helpful snapshot of life in our school.
Tours will last around an hour and a half and will include the following:
· A welcome briefing by the Headteacher
· A tour of Foundation Stage
· A tour of the remainder of the school to see the learning journey our children will be taken on throughout their time at Parkwood.
Children are welcome to attend the tours should their parents wish to bring them. Parents with pushchairs are welcome. We'll do what we can to help you to navigate any stairways.
Dates available for tours are as follows:
- Wednesday 24th September 9.00am
- Thursday 2nd October 9.00am
- Tuesday 7th October 1.30pm
- Thursday 16th October 1.30pm
Please complete the following form to book your place: https://forms.office.com/e/jwPrgc0k9L
Alternatively, if you'd prefer a bespoke tour with the headteacher or deputy headteacher, please call the school office on: 01634 234699 or email us at: office@parkwoodprimary.org.uk
Why Parkwood Primary School?
Parkwood Primary is a two-form entry, inclusive primary school located in the heart of Parkwood, with the space to welcome sixty children into our foundation stage setting each year. Parkwood is proud to be part of The Primary First Trust.
In a safe, calm and welcoming environment, Parkwood Primary School offers a well-sequenced, progressive and engaging learning journey for all children from the minute they cross the Parkwood threshold. Breaking down barriers to learning for all our children is non-negotiable and is the responsibility of all staff. Our approach means we grow self-assured, resilient and ambitious learners who are ready to engage in learning and make a positive contribution to their community now and in the future.
Our intensive
focus on instilling our school rules and values in our children will ensure
that our children are respectful, kind and empathetic citizens.
Physical and mental health education and support has never been more important for our young people. Parkwood seeks to take every possible opportunity to support and develop the mental and physical well-being of our children.
Foundation Stage:
Foundation Stage shapes their learning around a book that allows us to offer children a range of immersive learning experiences that teach the knowledge and skills that fall within the seven areas of learning set out by the Department for Education.
· Communication and language
· Personal, social and emotional development
· Physical development
· Literacy
· Mathematics
· Understanding the world
· Expressive arts and design
Phonics:
In Foundation Stage, each child takes part in daily phonics lessons to develop their letters and sound knowledge as well as to build on their early reading skills. The ability to read unlocks a world of opportunity. We invest heavily in preparing our children to be capable readers from the day the enter our setting. We also want to give them a love of books which will feed their imaginations.
We use RWI (Read, Write, Inc) at Parkwood therefore the children are taught in vertical groups across FS, Year 1 and Year 2 in small groups. This allows us to really tailor the learning to the children. Assessments are conducted each term so each child is placed within the correct group.
Learning Environments:
Our learning environments are thought about carefully. At Parkwood, we see our environment as an additional adult that can facilitate learning. We do this through organising carefully selected open-ended resources for the children to practise and rehearse their learning that stems from the direct teaching opportunities provided by the teacher. We have designated outdoor areas outside the classroom so that there are opportunities for learning both inside and outside. We have great school grounds and throughout the children’s time at the school, we encourage outdoor learning in the fresh air.
What do we aim for with our Parkwood Curriculum
To provide a broad and balanced curriculum that engages and enthuses both pupils and teachers
· To ensure each pupil experiences a coherent learning journey through school, that skills and knowledge are clear and explicit for each year group, in each subject, and build upon previous learning
· To provide a language-rich curriculum
· To promote a culture of us all as life-long learners, with the skills to think independently, discussing thoughts and opinions with respect and consideration
· To enable pupils to realise their full-potential, to create ambitious and resilient individuals
· To support personal development, encouraging children to become responsible individuals and to take care of themselves mentally and physically, and look after the world around them
How do I complete a primary school application?
Like all schools in Medway, we have a single point of entry for reception and admit children in September. Visit the Medway Council website for further guidance and an online application form:
https://www.medway.gov.uk/info/200137/schools_and_learning/1059/applying_for_a_primary_school_place
Applications open: Monday 1st September 2025
The deadline to apply for the September 2026 intake is Thursday 15th January 2026
National offer day: Thursday 16th Aril 2026
You must accept or refuse your offered place by Thursday 14th May 2026
Click here for Medway's primary admissions information for 2026.
How do I appeal for a place in Foundation Stage?
Follow the link below to find out how to appeal for a place at a Medway school: