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How to apply for a primary school place

This section includes information about how to make the application for a primary school place for your child, including how to apply, deadlines and where to get support and help.


If your child was born between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2020 you should apply for their infant or primary school place by 15 January 2024.

Help or support

If you'd like independent advice or information on school admissions or transport, contact the Children's Legal Centre or tel: 0300 3305485.

Important points

There are several things it's important to remember when making your application.

Get your application in on time. You can apply online. If you miss the deadline we'll not be able to consider your application until the ones that we received on time have been dealt with.

Do not name the same school more than once as a preference. This will not increase your chances of a place.

We'll withdraw a school place where false information has been used to secure an offer.

Think about listing your normal area school. You may want to consider including the normal area school as one of your preferences, though it does not have to be your first preference. If you do not include the normal area school as one of your preferences, it may fill up with pupils who have said they would prefer to go to that school. This could mean the only school with available places may be further away and could mean you have to pay for transport to a distant school.

Find out which is your normal area school.

If you do not make an application you cannot assume your child will get an automatic place at your normal area school. We'll first offer places to those who have expressed a preference. If you do not make an application we'll only be able to give your child a place at your normal area school – if places are still available. If your normal area school is full, we'll give your child a place in the nearest school which has room. This could mean you paying transport costs to a distant school.

Consider how your child will get to school when making your preferences. You're responsible for getting your child to school. If your child gets a place at a distant school, this could mean that you pay transport costs. Read about getting to school carefully before deciding your preferences.

Only make one application.

Late applications received after the closing date will be included only if the reason for the delay is considered exceptional and appropriate evidence has been provided. Other late applications will not be considered until after applications received by the closing date have been dealt with.

Don't forget you can look at our glossary if there are any terms you're unsure of the meaning of.