When do I apply for a school place?

How school admissions work in England

Every state-funded school has admission criteria. These are the rules used to decide who gets a place when a school has more applicants than places. The school or the local council usually sets them.

You always apply through your own local council, even if the schools are in another council area.

Key dates for children starting in September 2027

If an offer day falls on a weekend or bank holiday, offers come on the next working day. You must accept your offer by the deadline given, or it may be withdrawn and given to someone else.

Admission criteria: who gets priority

All state-funded schools must give top priority to children who are in care, or who have been in care. After that, schools commonly give priority to children who:

• live close to the school
• have a brother or sister already there
• are eligible for the pupil premium or service pupil premium
• went to a linked (feeder) primary school
• have a parent who has worked at the school for 2 years or more
• follow a particular religion (some faith schools)
• pass an entrance exam (grammar schools)

Check each school's admission arrangements on its website or the council's website before you apply.

How to apply

1. Contact your local council to find state-funded schools in your area and their admission criteria.
2. Fill in your council's application form and list your schools in order of preference.
3. Apply even if the school is linked to your child's nursery. There is no automatic place.
4. Give proof of address if the council asks for it.

Listing only one school will not make you more likely to get it.

Starting age and deferring

Most children start reception full time in the September after their fourth birthday. Your child must be in full-time education by the 31 December, 31 March or 31 August after their fifth birthday, whichever comes first. You can ask for your child to start part time, part way through the year, or the September after they turn 5. You still apply at the normal time. If they start after turning 5, they usually go into year 1. The school does not have to agree to reception entry instead.

If you do not get a place you want

• If your child has no place, contact your local council to find schools that still have places.
• You can join the waiting list of schools you prefer, even if you accepted another place. Waiting lists must stay open for at least the first term.
• You can appeal each refusal to an independent panel. You must appeal against each refusal separately, and you get at least 20 school days to appeal from when the decision letter is sent.

Moving or changing school mid-year

Applying once the school year has started is called an in-year application. Contact your local council to find out how it works in your area.

If you live in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland

The dates and rules above are for England. Other nations run their own systems, so check with your local council (or the Education Authority in Northern Ireland).

Related guides

• How do I appeal a school place decision?
• Can my child get free school transport?
• Can my child get free school meals?
• What is SEN support?

Where this comes from

• School admissions: how to apply (GOV.UK)
• School admissions: admissions criteria (GOV.UK)
• School admissions: school starting age (GOV.UK)
• School admissions: waiting lists (GOV.UK)