Please also see our Induction page for new Reception families and our Virtual School Tour.

Open Days

We will be holding Open Days for Reception 2025 in the autumn term.

Once arranged, the Open Day dates will be put on the scrolling banner on our homepage as well as on this page.

Please phone the school office (01257 278722) to book on a visit.

On the Open Days

There will be a brief introduction to the school by the headteacher, followed by a tour of the school with the head or deputy.

There will be the opportunity to ask staff and children questions during the tour.

We look forward to seeing you!

Multi-Academy Trust

Our school has formed a multi-academy trust (MAT) with Parklands High and Gillibrand Primary. The MAT is called Aspirational Futures.

Our pupils now have higher priority admission to Parklands, if parents want it.

(The criteria for our pupils is above the distance criteria for Parklands.)

“Great and exciting things to come with the MAT – we are looking forward to seeing what happens in the future.”

“MAT consultation – I think this is amazing news and I fully back this.  As a parent this reduces worry about my child’s progression and next steps.  I would really like my daughter to go to Parklands and I think this partnership is a must.”

Parents' Questionnaire comments, Autumn 2022

Reception applications

The link to Lancashire County Council's Reception applications webpage is below.

Our school is a friendly community school which welcomes all families.

Reception places at the school are allocated by Lancashire local authority, following their admissions policy and criteria. Please follow the link below to apply for a place.

If you require any assistance, or have any queries before application, please do not hesitate to contact us on 01257 278722.

Children can start school in the September after their fourth birthday. 

At Balshaw Lane, we take up to 60 new Reception children each September.

The children are placed into two straight-age classes with a maximum of 30 children in each.

Children are placed in classes by considering: SEND, language or medical needs; social needs, siblings, nurseries, age, development stage and gender.

The two Reception classes are taught by an experienced and enthusiastic Early Years team.

We have two classteachers and several teaching assistants.

The staff work closely together to ensure the very best start for your child. 

We are fortunate that our two Reception classrooms have their own outdoor play area with a canopy for inclement weather as well as access to the playground and a large field.

This means that we have plenty of space for outdoor learning all day, every day.

Catchment area

This can vary slightly each year as the deciding criteria may come down to distance from school.

However, since our expansion, this has rarely happened and all first preferences, and some second, have been able to join us.

Our current children are mainly from Euxton but we also have children from Gillibrand, Astley Village, Buckshaw Village, Chorley, Coppull and Leyland.

Visits to the school

We welcome visits to view the school in action during the school day (during non-covid times).

Open Days are held on certain dates: please phone the office to book on one of the visits (01257 278722).

Ms Gregson and Mr Woodrow will give groups of parents a tour and you will have the opportunity to ask questions, either general or about your child.

Induction

In the summer term before the new children start, we hold induction activities.

These usually include informal play sessions in the hall with parents, a taster meal, induction afternoons in the classrooms and a Welcome Meeting for parents.

We also visit local nurseries to speak to staff about the children's transition and for the children to meet our teachers.

At the start of the Reception year, we have a staggered start for the children.

This approach enables us to establish routines with the children and enable them to settle into the environment in smaller groups.

We find that the half days help the children to quickly gain confidence and make a flying start.

Early in the autumn term, we hold a Curriculum Meeting for parents when we explain about our provision for the Early Years areas of learning. 

We also hold Parents' Evenings in the autumn and spring terms where the children's progress is discussed.

A mid-year report and an annual report are issued to parents in March and July respectively.

“My son has settled into school really well and is very happy.”

“Love the school, love the teachers, very happy.”

“My daughter is loving school and has really come out of her shell.  Thank you so much for everything.”

Reception Parents' Questionnaire comments, Autumn 2023.

Applying for a place mid year 

(In-Year admissions)

Moving house in Lancashire? Or moving into Lancashire?

If you wish for your child to start at our school mid year, please phone us to enquire about spaces.

Tel: 01257 278722

We will be able to tell you if there are spaces in the year group(s) you want.

We keep contact information of parents who have enquired about places at our school.

However, we no longer keep a waiting list.

This is due to a change in the School Admissions Code from 31st October 2021.

If we have space, you can apply online for the place(s) via Lancashire local authority.

Please go to the link below.

If we do not have a space in the year group(s) you want, you may still apply but this will be an appeal.

The appeal panel will decide if a place is to be allocated at our school or at a different one where there is space.

A paper form is available if you prefer to use one for your application - please ask us to send one to you.

"I don't know what magic you're working at Balshaw Lane but, since my child has started, they've made more progress in one half term than in the previous academic year at their old school."

Parental comment, November 2023.