Parents/ carers are given the opportunity to express three preferences for a primary school. Published criteria are used to decide which children should be offered the available places. In primary schools, an equal preference scheme is operated to comply with the Schools Admission Code, whereby three parental preferences are given equal status and are considered equally against the admissions criteria. If a school is oversubscribed, the following criteria will be applied in priority order:

When a school is oversubscribed on parental preferences, then the following priorities apply in order:

1. Looked after children and those who have been previously looked after, [including those legally adopted from overseas] (please see note x below), then
2. Children for whom the Local Authority accepts that there are exceptional medical, social or welfare reasons which are directly relevant to the school concerned (see note (i) below, then
3. Children with older brothers and sisters attending the school when the younger child will start, (see note (iii) below), then
4. Remaining places are allocated according to where a child lives. Those living nearest to the preferred school by a straight line (radial) measure will have priority, (see note (v) below).

If the Local Authority is unable to distinguish between applicants using the published criteria (eg. Siblings, those living the same distance from home to school, or families residing in the same block of flats) places will be offered via a random draw.

Important Dates:

The arrangements for the admission of pupils to primary schools in September 2023 will, as far as possible, conform to the following timetable.

Thursday 1 September 2022 – Apply from this date

Sunday 15 January 2023 – National closing date for primary applications (statutory).

During this period all applications are processed and all preferences are considered against the published admissions policy. Where there are more applications than places available, decisions are made as to which children should be offered the available places. We will liaise and exchange information with all other admission authorities including neighbouring local authorities. The allocation and offer of a primary school place is finalised.

Wednesday 19 April 2023 – Offers issued to parents*

(The national offer date is 16 April 2022, if this date falls on a weekend or a bank holiday, offers are sent the next working day.)

Friday 28 April 2023 – Deadline for requesting:

• an appeal
• a place on the reserve (waiting) list(s)

Week commencing 1 May 2021 – Distribute appeal forms to parents

Friday 12 May 2023 – Appeal deadline for community and voluntary controlled schools**

1st round of hearings.