Key dates for primary, infant and junior school places

Key dates when applying for a primary, infant and junior school place.

Key dates and events for primary, infant and junior school places.
Date	Event
Monday 6 October 2025	Starting school and junior school applications open for September 2026. Opportunity for parents and carers to start visiting schools.
Thursday 15 January 2026	Closing date for all primary, infant and junior school applications at 11.59pm. In case of technical issues we strongly recommend you apply online and not delay your application until the last minute. If you choose to apply on a paper form, it is your responsibility to ensure the form arrives before the national closing date. Please ensure you specify your email address if you have one.
Wednesday 11 February 2026	Closing date for out of time applications made after the application deadline. Closing date for receipt of evidence regarding a request to change preferences due to a genuine unforeseeable reason. Closing date for receipt of evidence for house movers.
Thursday 16 April 2026	Offer day - on-time online applicants notified which school their child has been offered by email. Other applicants will be emailed the result later this day if an email address was provided in the application. Applicants who do not have an email address will receive a letter by second class post.
Friday 15 May 2025 onwards	Late applications received on or after 12 February 2026 are processed and offers made. Waiting lists will be established and places offered if they become available.
May to August 2026	Independent appeal panel hear appeals lodged by parents and carers.
September 2026	New term starts.

Last updated:: 1 September 2025

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