- Introduction
- Step 1: Check when your child should start school
- Step 2: Research and choose a school
- Step 3: Before you apply
- Step 4: Complete the application form
- Step 5: Complete any supplementary forms
- Step 6: If your child's address or preferences change after applying
- Step 7: Applications are assessed
- Step 8: We offer you a place
- Step 9: You accept or decline a place
- Step 10: If you do not get a place at your preferred school
Closing date for applications
The closing date for on-time applications to start infant, junior or primary school is 15 January 2026.
Starting school in September 2026
If your child:
- was born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022, or
- is leaving Year 2 of an infant school in July 2026
then you should follow the steps on this page, starting with Step 1: Check when your child should start school.
There is a different application process if you are:
- applying for a school place for a child with an Education Health and Care (EHC) plan.
- applying for an in-year admission - your child has already started school but needs to change schools or you have moved to the area outside the normal admissions round.
- a late applicant - applying after the closing date.