Primary and Secondary School Admissions

School admissions in England are coordinated by local authorities (councils) for community and voluntary controlled schools, and by the schools themselves (as their own admissions authority) for academies, free schools, grammar schools, and faith schools.

All state schools must follow the School Admissions Code (2021), which sets out the rules for fair, transparent, and consistent allocation of places. Key stages of the process:

1. Research and visit: Schools hold open evenings, typically in the autumn term before you apply. Attending these is strongly advisable.
2. Apply online through your local authority's admissions portal by the deadline (usually 31 October for secondary schools, 15 January for primary).
3. Offer day: Secondary school offers are made on 1 March; primary school offers on 16 April (or the next working day).
4. Acceptance and waiting list: Accept your offer by the deadline. If it is not your first choice, you can remain on the waiting list for higher-preference schools.

When a school receives more applications than it has places (it is oversubscribed), it must apply its published admissions criteria in order of priority. Common criteria, in typical priority order, are:

1. Looked-after children and previously looked-after children — always highest priority under the Code
2. Children with a medical or social need specifically requiring a place at that school (must be supported by professional evidence)
3. Siblings of children already attending the school at the time of application
4. Catchment area — children living within a defined geographic area
5. Distance — measured by straight line or safe walking route from home to school

Faith schools may give priority to children of that faith. Grammar schools require passing the 11-plus selection test. Schools cannot give priority based on ability (except selective schools), parental occupation, or financial contributions.

A "catchment area" is a geographic zone within which a school prioritises applications. Catchment areas are not fixed by law — they are set each year by the admissions authority based on how many places are available and demand. This means the catchment area can shrink in years of high demand.

To understand what the effective catchment area is for a school:

• Check the school's admissions policy for the current year on its website or your council's website
• Look at the school's "admissions statistics" — the policy must state the furthest distance from the school at which children were offered places in the previous year
• Contact the admissions authority directly if the information is not clear

Living in the published catchment area does not guarantee a place if the school is oversubscribed by higher-priority criteria (e.g., siblings).

If you need a school place outside the normal admissions round — for example, because you have moved to a new area mid-year or your child is moving from an independent school — you apply for an in-year admission.

In-year applications are made directly to the school or through your local authority. The same admissions criteria apply. If the school is full (at or above the published admission number), the school may refuse — but you can appeal. If your child has no school place, the local authority has a statutory duty to offer them one at a suitable school within the borough.