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 2024 and 2025

DateWhat happens
1 September 2024The school application process starts. It's time to find out about schools in your area and apply for a school place.
15 January 2025The deadline to apply for a school place is at 11:59pm.
8 March 2025The deadline to apply late for a school place with a good reason.
School applications are looked at and school places are decided.
April 2025Applications are looked at and school places are decided.
16 April 2025

National Offer Day.
If you made an applied online or gave an 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.

You can also find out how school places are offered.

30 April 2025The deadline to accept or refuse the school place offered.
If you don't reply the offer could be removed.
20 May 2025Deadline 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 2025Appeals are discussed at appeal hearings.
Children on waiting lists are offered school places as they become available.
September 2025Children start school.

View our school application guides for more information.