- Most children start school full-time the September after they turn 4. But children born between 1 April and 31 August can start the September after they turn 5 if the council agrees they are not ready.
- School places have to be allocated fairly and the criteria published so they can be challenged if there is a dispute.
- For Primary school the deadline for applications is mid-January in the year they expect to start school.
| Date of birth between … | Apply before … |
| 1 Sep 2015 and 31 Aug 2016 | Wed, 15 Jan 2020 |
| 1 Sep 2016 and 31 Aug 2017 | Wed, 20 Jan 2021 |
| 1 Sep 2017 and 31 Aug 2018 | Wed, 19 Jan 2022 |
| 1 Sep 2018 and 31 Aug 2019 | Wed, 18 Jan 2023 |
| 1 Sep 2019 and 31 Aug 2020 | Wed, 17 Jan 2024 |
| 1 Sep 2020 and 31 Aug 2021 | Wed, 15 Jan 2025 |
- You are expected to choose three schools in order of preference. It is a good idea to visit them first and choose carefully. If a school is popular, only children making it first choice with siblings or living close by are likely to get a place; don’t waste your first choice on a popular school unless you live nearby.
- Children with an EHCP (an Education and Health Care Plan) also take priority if the school is named in their plan.
- You must apply for a Primary School place, even if your child is already attending the Nursery of the school you want them to attend.