What happens if more children apply for a school place at a community school or an academy than there are places available
If a community school run by the council receives more applications for school places than it has available, a list of five rules is used to decide which children get offered a place first.
These rules are known as school admission priorities.
Read our school application guides for more information.
1. Looked after children and all previously looked after children
This includes those children who appear (to the council) to have been in state care outside of England, and stopped being in state care because they were adopted.
A child is regarded as having been in state care outside of England if they were in the care of, or were accommodated by:
'Previously looked after' children are children who were adopted (or subject to child arrangements orders or special guardianship orders) immediately following being 'looked after'.
To show your child fits in this priority you will need to provide proof of your child’s status.
2. Children who have a medical or social need
Some children have a medical or social need that can only be met at a specific school.
To show your child fits in this priority you will need to provide independent evidence that shows why your child’s needs can only be met at your preferred school.
3. Children who have a brother or a sister at the school, known as a sibling link
Sibling link includes brothers and sisters as well as other children in the home who share the same main address.
The main address is usually where your child is registered with a doctor.
4. Children who are transferring from a linked infant or junior school
Children who go to an infant school that is linked with a junior school have priority over other children who apply:
5. Other children who apply
Other children includes all children who do not fit in the first four priorities.
If more children in each priority apply than there are places available home to school distance is used to decide who should get offered places first.
If it is possible to offer a school place to one of the children because is the only place left, both or all children will be offered a place.
View our school application guides for more information.