The School Admissions Process

Although every child between the ages of 5 and 16 is entitled to a free school place, admission to primary and secondary schools is not automatic - you must apply well in advance. You must never assume your child will get a place at the school you want, even if it is linked to the school your child already goes to. Although you have the right to select which school you would prefer your child to attend, this will not guarantee your child a place at the school if it is oversubscribed.

Co-ordination of Admissions

The local authority coordinates admissions for all state schools, whether they control them or not. This simplifies the admissions process, as parents simply need to complete a single common application form, and also prevents a child receiving multiple offers of school places. If the school you are interested in is its own admission authority, the local authority will then pass on the application so that the school can decide if your child should be offered a place, based on their published admission arrangements.

The Application Process

When you receive your local authority's common application form, you will be asked to list your favourite schools in order of preference. You may be asked to select one or more primary schools, or at least three (more in large cities) secondary schools. All school admissions application forms may now be completed online.

There is normally a deadline set by the local authority for them to receive your application; make sure you send your form back to the correct address in plenty of time - especially if you want your child to go to a popular school. You should also check whether you are required to provide any extra information to support your application, such as a letter from your parish priest or minister for a voluntary-aided church school.

Wherever possible you will be offered a place at your first-choice school, however this cannot be guaranteed. Places in over-subscribed schools are allocated to children who meet the schools admissions criteria the closest. If your child meets the admissions criteria for a number of schools on the application form, they will be offered a place at the school you ranked highest on the form. However, if none of your chosen schools can offer your child a place, your local authority must offer you a place at another school.