Starting primary school (reception)

Information for parents about applying for reception places for September 2026.

  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

9. Infant class sizes

An infant class should have no more than 30 pupils per single qualified teacher for all ordinary teaching sessions.

This applies to Reception, Year 1 and Year 2 classes. 

There are some, very limited, exceptions for in-year admissions, but the class size limit applies to all community, voluntary controlled, voluntary aided and foundation primary schools, academies and free schools.

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Apply online for a school place

Applications for school places for September 2026 open on 1 September 2025.

Apply online

The deadline to apply for a primary school place for September 2026 is 15 January 2026.