Information for Families

Discover what we offer and how to join us.

As a Trust, our collective commitment to raising aspirations and helping our children grow, flourish and achieve their ambitions drives our work.

Each of our schools has its own unique and distinctive character and vision for its community, something we proudly celebrate and protect. Each offers a fantastic learning environment for its children supported by our unique curriculum enrichment offer/partnership with the colleges and business units across the EKC Group.

We encourage you to learn more about their incredible work. Click a logo to learn more about each school.

  • EKC Sheppey Secondary
  • Queenborough Primary School Logo
  • Holywell Primary School
  • Palm Bay Primary School
  • Bysing Wood Primary School
  • Thornden Wood Primary School logo
  • The Churchill School
  • East Stour Primary School

If your little one is gearing up to start primary school this September, ‘Be School Ready’ from our friends at ParentKind is here to help make this exciting journey smooth, fun and full of learning.

We are proud to partner with ParentKind, the leading charity for parents in the UK.

Families are encouraged to visit the Academy with their child if they are planning to apply for a place.

To apply for a reception class school place (the September after your child turns 4) families need to complete the local authority’s (LA) common application form (CAF) and submit this directly to the LA or child’s primary school by the deadline. All the details are listed on the Kent County Council Website  We ask you to apply online, or you can request a form from the primary school or from the Local Authority.

Applications for in-year admissions are considered in the same way as those made at the beginning of the academic year and are dealt with in accordance the Local Authorities Fair Access Protocol. In-year admissions forms can be obtained from each Academy in the Trust.

For more on Admissions please see our Admissions Policy.

We understand that navigating the world of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) can sometimes feel overwhelming for families. That’s why we’ve created this area to offer a clear and accessible starting point for parents and carers seeking guidance, resources, and support.

We hope this area helps you feel more informed and empowered. If you need further support, please don’t hesitate to contact your school SENDCo or a member of the pastoral team.

Below, you’ll find links to trusted charities, organisations, and services that provide expert advice, practical help, and community connection for families of children with SEND. Whether you’re looking for information about specific conditions, support with education and health plans, or simply someone to talk to, these organisations are here to help.

Local Kent Directory 

Care Coordination | Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust 

Home | Gingerbread 

Adult Education courses in Kent | Kent Adult Education 

Healthier Families – Home – NHS 

Dressing and undressing | Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust 

13 parent-tested potty-training tips | Children’s Mercy 

All About Toileting | Leckey Parent Hub 

How to potty train – NHS 

Potty Training | Nemours Kids Health 

Children – The Sleep Charity 

Sleep and young children – NHS 

Sleep: Tips for Parents | Nip in the Bud | Free Downloadable Fact Sheet 

Baby and toddler sleep advice – routines and not sleeping 

Fussy eaters – NHS 

9 Strategies for Parents of Picky Eaters – Center for Children and Youth 

Fussy eating in children: tips to help | Raising Children Network 

7 tips for winning over a picky eater | UNICEF Parenting 

Family Bereavement: How to support children through grief and loss | NSPCC 

Helping Children Cope With Grief – Child Mind Institute 

Grief Resources for Kids, Parents, & Supporters | Dougy Center 

Supporting Grieving Children: A Guide for Parents & Caregivers – Marble Wellness | Therapy in Ballwin and Lake St. Louis, MO 

How to Support Children after Their Parents Separate or Divorce – HealthyChildren.org 

Separation & divorce: helping children adjust | Raising Children Network 

How to Help Kids Through Divorce 

7 Essential Coping Strategies for Kids After Divorce 

Booklets for Kids: Coping with Separation | Divorce | Family Changes – Free Social Work Tools and Resources: SocialWorkersToolbox.com 

Children and Domestic Violence for Parents Fact Sheet Series | The National Child Traumatic Stress Network 

Domestic abuse through your child’s eyes: Parenting guide – Free Social Work Tools and Resources: SocialWorkersToolbox.com 

18 Ways to Support Children Who Witness Domestic Violence 

Twelve Ways Parents Can Help Young Children Who Have Experienced Domestic Violence Heal | HeadStart.gov 

Parenting After Violence – Digital Download | Multiplying Connections 

A Parent’s Guide to Keeping Kids Safe Online 

Internet Safety for Kids: Online Safety Tips 

Parents and Carers – UK Safer Internet Centre 

Advice for parents and guardians – Mental Health UK 

Make it Count: Guide for parents and carers | Mental Health Foundation 

Advice for parents – NHS 

Parents Mental Health Support | Advice for Your Child | Young Minds 

Advice for parents and guardians – Mental Health UK 

Children’s teeth – NHS 

British Society of Pediatric Dentistry (BSPD) > Patients 

Better Health Start for Life Top Tips For Teeth | Campaigns | Campaign Resource Centre 

Resources For Families – Teeth Team 

How to help your child to make friends and keep friendships 

Helping Your Child With Friendships | Bullying Advice 

Healthy Relationships and Friendships- information for parents — Teen Health 11 – 19 Service 

 

Year 6 children to attend Ashford College
Year 6 children from East Stour attend Ashford College

Through our Trust and our EKC partnership we’re able to provide inspirational opportunities for children to experience a wider and richer curriculum. 

Our children and young people experience enrichment days including learning experiences in music, computing, construction and design, technology, hair and beauty, travel and tourism, business and many more sectors – accessing the resources, equipment and specialist staff of the Group to provide them with a whole range of new, exciting skills to support them in their learning. Industry experts also provide workshops and events within the schools, bringing the learning to the children.

Here’s some highlights of inspirational experiences enjoyed by children and young people across the Trust. Scroll and click to learn more

  • The opportunity for all our Year 6 children to attend Ashford College and gain a glimpse into life beyond primary and secondary school has been phenomenal

    Whether it’s the profession of plumbing, health and social care, engineering to beauty or electrical, music, art to catering, this has been a brilliant experience for them and clearly illustrated the job opportunities available to them beyond secondary education.

    The children have been fully immersed in the full experience, they loved learning new skills and are now so ambitious. This experience has transformed their outlook in life and are more positive to gain a profession after education.

    The students and staff at the college have been so accommodating to all our needs and the pupils at East Stour have been inspired and happy whilst creating memorable moment they will never forget.
    East Stour Testimonial
    Senior Leadership
    East Stour Primary

Serving our communities is at the heart of everything we do. Throughout the year, together with our partners, the EKC Group, our children and young people and our colleagues, deliver a series of social action projects for schools, families and whole communities to take part in and enjoy. 

Click on a graphic to learn more about our work to date and how your family can join in.

Reading Volunteers Campaign – Fairy Godmothers and Reading Wizards Wanted!

Easter Holiday Activities – Join in! Egg-cellent fun for all the family!

Summer Advent Calendar – Join in! Summer fun for all the family!

Christmas Advent Calendar – Join in! Festive fun for all the family!

Don’t miss a Thing!

Keep updated with news across our schools and Trust, including our curriculum enrichment days with our friends at the EKC Group colleges via our termly Trust Newsletter.

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube for more on the inspirational events children have enjoyed across our schools and together as a Trust.

Getting to know Us

Bysing Wood Primary Wood Camp

About Us

Learn more about our EKC family, 2023-2028 Strategy, alongside our governance structure and other key Trust information.

Our Schools 4x3

Our Schools

Learn more about our schools and our support to families, the amazing opportunities enjoyed by our children and communities; and about our Community Hub and how you can get involved. 

work with us 4x3

Work With Us

Learn more about careers, becoming a Trustee or Governor and opportunities as a school to work with us.