Dates for applying for primary school
You can apply for your child to start school in year R (reception) if they were born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022.
You can apply to transfer from infant to junior school (year 3) if your child was born between 1 September 2018 and 31 August 2019 and goes to an infant school.
If your child is in year 2 in a primary school which runs from year R to year 6, you do not need to apply for year 3. You will only need to apply if you want your child to transfer to a junior school.
If your child has an education, health and care (EHC) plan, you will need to complete a different form. More about applying for a school place for a child with an EHC plan.
Key dates for primary school admissions 2026
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 9am Monday 1 September 2025 | Primary school applications open |
| 5pm on Thursday 15 January 2026 | Primary school applications close (national closing date) |
| Thursday 16 April 2026 | Offers sent to parents and carers (national offer date) |
| Thursday 14 May 2026 | Places must be accepted/refused, waiting list requests and appeal requests must be submitted. |
| Monday 8 June 2026 | Re-allocation of available places begins |
| Monday 31 August 2026 | Re-allocation of available places ends |