Starting primary school (reception)

Information for parents about applying for reception places for September 2025.

  1. Important dates
  2. When children can start primary school
  3. Choosing your school preferences
  4. Deferred and part-time starts
  5. Delaying a full year
  6. Summer born children
  7. Admission criteria
  8. Supplementary information forms
  9. Infant class sizes
  1. Transferring from nursery to school
  2. Transferring from infant to junior school
  3. Transferring to another primary school
  4. Transferring to secondary school
  5. Moving house or applying from abroad
  6. Free home to school transport
  7. Waiting lists and appeals
  8. Advice and support
  9. Getting ready to start school

10. Transferring from nursery to school

You must apply for a place at a primary school, even if it’s linked to your child’s nursery school or class.

Parents do not have an automatic right to transfer to the primary school or academy to which the nursery class is attached. You will need to state your preferences for school places like all other parents. Attending a particular nursery does not necessarily increase your child's chances of being offered a reception place at a particular school or academy. Please refer to the individual admissions policy for each school.

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Apply online for a school place

Applications for school places for September 2025 open on 1 September 2024.

Apply online

The deadline to apply for a primary school place for September 2025 is 15 January 2025.