Apply for, accept or appeal a school place

Find schools, apply for school, find out about waiting lists and how to appeal a decision.

Search and apply for a school place

Find schools near you
Where to get contact information for schools in your local area and what they offer.
Starting infant, junior or primary school
When to apply for a school place, how to apply and important dates when applying.
Starting secondary school
When to apply for a school place, how to apply and important dates when applying.
School applications
Find out who can apply for a school place, what schools you can apply for, what the deadlines are and start your application.
Make changes to your application for a school place
What to do if you've made a mistake in your application or need to change your school preferences.
What happens if you apply late for a school place
What you need to do if you miss the deadline to apply for a school place and what happens to your application.
Starting school during the school year
If your child needs to change schools during the year, find out when you need to apply, how long it takes and start your application.
Ask for your child to start school in reception instead of year 1
If your child was born in the summer, between 1 April and 31 August, you can ask that they start school in reception.
Tell us you're moving if you're applying for school
Contact the School Admission Team to tell us if you plan to move, or have already moved home.

School admissions information

School admission guides
Its important you read our school application guides to get all the information you need before you apply for a school place at an infant, junior, primary or secondary school.
Priority 2: Compelling medical or other exceptional reasons to attend the school guidance
Find information about priority 2 from the schools admission guide, how it is applied and the decision-making process.
The Office of the Schools Adjudicator
Find out the Office of the Schools Adjudicator decision on our admission arrangements.
School admission priorities and school place admission numbers

Find links to school admission arrangements and coordinated schemes for pupils starting school.
Consultation for own admission authority schools
Get links to schools websites that are consulting on their admission arrangements for 2027.

After you apply

What you need to do when you get a school place offer
How to accept a school place and what you can do if you are not happy with the school place offered.
Waiting list for secondary school places
How to add your child to a waiting list, called reallocation pool, for a place at a secondary school.
Waiting list for primary school places
How to add your child to a waiting list for a place at an infant, junior or primary school.

Appeal a school place decision

Appeal a school place decision
How to appeal if you’re not happy with the school place your child has been offered
Volunteer to be a member of the Schools Admissions Appeal Panel
Find out more about the panel, what the role involves, and how to apply to become a member.