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Swaffield School

  1. Starting Reception in September 2026

    A Happy, Confident Start to School

    "We're absolutely delighted to welcome you and your child to Swaffield School.

    Starting school is a big milestone and we are here to make this a happy, positive and memorable experience for you and your child.

    It’s completely natural to feel a mixture of excitement and nerves. Please be assured that we’ll be here every step of the way, supporting both you and your child with care and encouragement as we begin this journey together.

    I'm looking forward to getting to know you and your child."

    Julia Hamilton
    Head Teacher

    Start Date

    We have a staggered start for children joining Reception in September.

    Children new to Swaffield start first to enable them to get to know the school before they're joined by children who had attended Swaffield Nursery. Start dates are as follows. 

    Please speak to us if you feel your child needs to build up their hours in class over the first few weeks. 

    • Thursday 3rd September 2026 - children who are new to Swaffield School
    • Monday 7th September 2026 - children moving from Swaffield Nursery to Reception.

    Between now and September: 

    From Miss Fisher and Miss Patel:

    We feel it’s important for you all to take a well-earned break over the summer holidays in order to fully recharge and relax from the routines of daily learning. We are also aware that you may want to keep yourselves occupied too! Therefore, we are suggesting this pack of activities to help consolidate the learning from the year and help prepare your child for the next academic year.

    This is completely optional and you will not be required to submit this to your new class teacher in September. It is simply a resource for you to tap into should you wish to practise or refresh fundamental skills over the next month or so. We hope it proves helpful to you. 
    In this pack you will find:
                           - Welcome Message from your Reception teachers
                           - Recommended Reading List
                           - Getting Ready for Reception Checklist
                           - Fun Practical Learning Activities
    We hope this summer brings you a much-deserved rest and we look forward to seeing you all in the new year!

    nursery to reception summer holiday homework.pdf

    Admissions Forms

    • If you haven't already completed your admissions paperwork: 
    • Admissions Form
      Please complete this online Admissions form as soon as possible. 
    • Proof of ID and Address
      Please bring in the following documents for us to see (if you haven't already) - the school office reopens on Tuesday 1st September: 
      - Your child's passport or birth certificate
      - A printed document showing the address where your child lives. This may be in your name but needs to
        be an original for example your council tax bill or a similar document.
    • Tapestry Permission 
      The Reception team uses an online journal called Tapestry to share information about what the children are doing in class. 
      Please complete this permission form to allow us to create your child's Tapestry Learning Journal ready for September: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TapestryReception2026 

    Read more about Tapestry here: 

    Start Date

    We have a staggered start for children joining Reception in September.

    Children new to Swaffield start first to enable them to get to know the school before they're joined by children who had attended Swaffield Nursery. Start dates are as follows. 

    Please speak to us if you feel your child needs to build up their hours in class over the first few weeks. 

    • Thursday 3rd September 2026 - children who are new to Swaffield School
    • Monday 7th September 2026 - children moving from Swaffield Nursery to Reception.

    Register For

    • Free school milk
      Available free to children under 5 years old and at a subsidised cost for those 5 years and over. Register now with Cool Milk: 
      https://coolmilk.com/parents/ 
      Once your child is 5, you may choose for them to continue to have morning milk at a subsidised cost. 

    Read the Cool Milk leaflet:

    Uniform 

    We encourage parents to order new uniform in plenty of time as the summer is a busy time for the supplier. 
    The following items are required and are available from our supplier, School Uniform Direct  

    • a jumper / cardigan with the Swaffield logo  
    • a Swaffield PE kit
    • a book bag with the Swaffield logo
    Read the current leaflet:

    The following items are required and available from local supermarkets/shops as well as School Uniform Direct:

    • grey trousers/skirt/pinafore
    • white or black socks or grey tights
    • white polo shirt
    • black school shoes

    Preloved Uniform
    Our PTA has a limited amount of pre-loved uniform that has been donated by parents whose children have grown out of it. Some will be available at the Summer Fair.

    Find out more about Swaffield Uniform here. 

    Here To Help

    Throughout the admissions process and beyond, we're on hand to answer any questions you may have no matter how small. 

    Please email/call Sue Medhurst, Admissions Officer:

    T: 020 8874 2825 

    E:admissions@swaffield.wandsworth.sch.uk 

    Our Approach

    At Swaffield, we believe children learn best when they feel safe, happy and valued. 

    Our aim is to support your child on their journey into Reception and beyond by:

    • understanding your child's unique strengths and needs
    • building strong and lasting relationships 
    • creating a calm, safe and inspiring learning environment

    What do parents of current Reception children say helped a happy start?

    Because we had chance to have stay & plays in the summer term, it meant our child was already familiar with the classroom, other children and the adults when he started in September. Parent Gazelle Class

    The teachers are very gentle and calm with the children and my daughter is always excited to greet them at the door; familiar faces helped a lot! Parent Sun Bear Class

    What do Reception children tell us? 

    I love school - I've got lots of friends and enjoy phonics and learning to read!

    I like reading and writing and playing with my friends.

    FIND OUT MORE ABOUT SWAFFIELD

    Here are some useful links to help you get  better feel for Swaffield School and why it is is rated so highly by our parents and the wider community as one of the best primary schools in Wandsworth. 

    It’s a gem of a school, full of warmth & great learning; the children are happy, kind & bright.

    Welcome Video

    • Take a look at our welcome video to get a real glimpse of school life here at Swaffield. 

    Newsletter

    Outcomes and Achievements 

    • Ofsted Report - Swaffield's latest Ofsted Inspection was in June 2025 - here's an extract:
      "Pupils' personal development is a strength of the school and this is rated "outstanding". The school has high expectations for all pupils. 

       Reassurance for parents that every child is nurtured to ensure they achieve their absolute best.

    • Department for Education: Swaffield joint 4th of 62 Wandsworth Primary Schools at the end of KS2. 
       Achievement: behind every number in these results are unique, individual children and we are 
       extremely proud of every child and what they are able to achieve, with support of excellent teachers,
            to prepare them for a bright future. 

    • Letter from Education Secretary Brigitte Phillipson congratulates Swaffield : "Your school's performance places it among the very best nationally, and this is a significant achievement. It shows what can be achieved when ambition and commitment come together."
       Acknowledgement that Swaffield gives children the best possible opportunities to succeed.

    • Daily Telegraph Best Primary Schools Report : Swaffield Gets Highest Score of "Very Good" in 
      Recognition that gives parents confidence that they're choosing an excellent school in which their child will be nurtured, inspired, and prepared for the future.

    • Awards - include Artsmark Gold; Music Mark; Primary Science Quality Mark
       Highlighting our commitment to delivering a broad curriculum to inspire every child to 
       explore a range of learning opportunities.
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