School admissions: Closing dates and late applications

The closing dates for applications for children due to start Primary school (Reception) or Secondary school (Year 7) in September 2021 are as follows.

• Secondary school application closing date - 7th November 2020 (the normal closing date of 31st October has been extended by 1 week due to the impact of Covid-19).
• Primary school application closing date - 15th January 2021

Please ensure that you have completed the online preference form AND returned any supplementary paper forms (where applicable) directly to your preferred schools by the closing date. You can apply online from 12th September 2020.

Late applications

If you miss the closing dates above please use the late application forms below:

• Secondary school late application form (for September 2021 entry) - This will be available from 8th November 2020.
• Primary school late application form (for September 2021 entry) - This will be available from 16th January 2021.
• Secondary school late application form (for September 2020 entry)
• Primary school late application form (for September 2020 entry)

Primary schools

Forms received after 15th January 2021 but before 20th March 2021

Preference forms received after the closing date will be considered as late applications unless there is a valid reason for the application being late e.g. change of address, change in a medical condition or exceptional circumstances.

We will continue to process late applications and send the information to schools and other local authorities. However, schools and local authorities may have late application policies which means that applications received on time will be given priority over late applications.

Forms received after 20th March 2021

• Late applications with a valid reason will be placed on a waiting list if the school is oversubscribed.
• Late applications without a valid reason will be considered after those applications considered on time.
• If the school has places available the child will be offered a place at that school.

Secondary schools

Forms received after 7th November 2020 but before 17th January 2021

Forms received after the closing date will be considered as late applications unless there is a valid reason for being late e.g. change of address, change in a medical condition or exceptional social reasons.

• Late applications with a valid reason will be considered with applications received on time.
• Late applications without a valid reason will be considered after those applications received on time.
• Late applications with a valid reason will be placed on a waiting list if the school is oversubscribed.
• Late applications without a valid reason will be considered after those applications received on time.
• If the school has places available the child will be offered a place at that school.

Forms received after 17th January 2021

• Late applications with a valid reason will be placed on a waiting list if the school is oversubscribed.
• Late applications without a valid reason will be considered after those applications received on time.
• If the school has places available the child will be offered a place at that school.