Important dates for infant, junior and primary school applications

When you need to apply, when school place offers are sent out and when children start school.

Important dates in 2022 and 2023

Date What happens
1 September 2022 The school application process starts. It's time to find out about schools in your area and apply for a school place
15 January 2023 The deadline to apply for a school place is at 11:59pm.

Applications are looked at and school places are decided.
8 March 2023 The deadline to apply late for a school place with a good reason.

School applications are looked at and school places are decided.
April 2023 Applications are looked at and school places are decided.
17 April 2023 National Offer Day.

If you applied online or give and email address, you'll get an email from school admissions to let you know which school has offered you a place.

If you applied by post and don't have an email address, a letter will be sent to you by first class post.
1 May 2023 The deadline to accept or refuse the school place offered.

If you don't reply the offer could be removed.
16 May 2023 Deadline to make an appeal if your child wasn't offered a place at one of the schools you listed as the first, second or third preference.
July 2023 Appeals are discussed at appeal hearings.

Children on waiting lists are offered school places as they become available.
September 2023 Children start school.

View our school application guides for more information.