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    • Admissions

    Welcome to Waterloo

    Choosing a school is an important decision, and we are delighted that you are considering Waterloo Primary School for your child.

    Waterloo is a safe, calm and inclusive school where every child is known, valued and supported to succeed. We combine high expectations with carefully planned support so that all pupils can thrive academically, socially and personally.

    We warmly encourage prospective families to visit us, meet our staff and children, and experience life at Waterloo for themselves. To arrange a visit, please contact the school office on 0151 928 4274 or email admin@waterlooprimaryschool.co.uk.

    Starting Reception

    Children normally start Reception in the September following their fourth birthday.

    Applications for Reception places are coordinated by Sefton Council, and parents must apply through the local authority where they live. If you live outside Sefton, you should apply through your own local authority, even if Waterloo is one of your preferred schools.

    For children starting Reception in September 2027:

    • Applications open on 1 September 2026

    • The closing date is 15 January 2027

    • National Offer Day is 16 April 2027

    Waterloo’s published admission number is 60 pupils in Reception.

    You can name up to three schools on your application. We strongly recommend using all three preferences and submitting your application by the closing date.

    Apply for a Reception place through Sefton Council

    Admission criteria

    Where there are more applications than places available, places are allocated using the published admission arrangements. Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan that names Waterloo Primary School are admitted through the statutory EHCP process.

    The remaining places are normally prioritised in the following order:

    1. Looked-after and previously looked-after children.

    2. Children with a sibling attending the school at the time of admission.

    3. Children of eligible members of school staff, where the published criteria are met.

    4. Other children, with priority determined by distance from home to school.

    Full definitions, tie-break arrangements and the definitive criteria are contained within Sefton Council’s determined admission arrangements.

    View Sefton’s determined admission arrangements

    Applying after the closing date

    Applications received after the national closing date are normally treated as late applications. This may reduce the likelihood of being offered a preferred school.

    If you have missed the deadline, contact Sefton School Admissions as soon as possible for advice about making a late application.

    Moving school during the academic year

    Applications for children who need a school place during the academic year, or who wish to transfer from another school, are known as in-year admissions.

    These applications are managed through Sefton Council. The council can advise whether places are available and explain the application process.

    Find out about in-year admissions and school transfers

    We recommend speaking to your child’s current school before requesting a transfer, particularly where the request relates to attendance, additional needs, friendships or another concern that may be resolved without disrupting your child’s education.

    Nursery and early years places

    Applications for Waterloo’s Nursery and early years provision are made directly to the school, rather than through Sefton’s school admissions process.

    To express an interest in a place:

    Submitting an expression of interest does not guarantee that a place will be available. The school will contact families when places are allocated and will provide information about sessions, funded entitlement, eligibility codes and any applicable charges.

    Please remember that attending Waterloo Nursery does not guarantee a Reception place. A separate Reception application must be made through your home local authority.

    Specialist provision

    Waterloo has specialist provision for pupils with autism and cognition and learning needs. Places within this provision are not allocated through the ordinary Reception or in-year admissions process.

    A child will usually require an Education, Health and Care Plan, and placement decisions are made through Sefton Council’s SEND consultation process. Parents cannot apply directly to the school for a specialist provision place, although families are welcome to contact us to learn more about the provision.

    If you believe specialist provision may be appropriate for your child, please speak to your child’s current setting, SENCO or Sefton’s SEND team.

    A place in Waterloo’s mainstream provision does not automatically provide access to a place within one of our specialist classes.

    Children with additional needs

    Having special educational needs or a disability does not prevent a family from applying for a mainstream place at Waterloo. We welcome applications from all children and work closely with families and professionals to plan appropriate support.

    If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan, the usual school application process is different. You should speak to your local authority’s SEND team about naming Waterloo in the plan.

    You are welcome to contact our SEND team before applying if you would like to discuss your child’s needs and the support available.

    Deferred entry and admission outside the normal age group

    Parents may request that their child’s admission to Reception is deferred until later in the same school year, provided the child starts school before reaching compulsory school age and before the end of the Reception year.

    Parents may also request admission outside their child’s normal age group. Each request is considered individually in accordance with the School Admissions Code and the published local authority policy. Parents should contact Sefton School Admissions before applying so that the correct process can be followed.

    Appeals and waiting lists

    If your child is refused a place, you will be given information about:

    • The reason a place could not be offered;

    • Your right to appeal to an independent appeal panel;

    • How and when to submit an appeal; and

    • Any waiting-list arrangements that apply.

    Appeals for Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 are subject to statutory infant class-size legislation, which limits classes to 30 pupils with one qualified teacher except in prescribed circumstances.

    Contact details

    Waterloo Primary School
    Crosby Road North
    Waterloo
    Liverpool
    L22 0LD

    Telephone: 0151 928 4274
    Email: admin@wps.mvlt.co.uk

    Sefton School Admissions Team
    Telephone: 0151 934 3590
    Email: admissions@sefton.gov.uk

    Visit Sefton’s School Admissions website