Primary school places: When do I need to apply?

Parents of children who are due to start primary school in the UK in autumn 2024 need to apply for a school place.

Different rules apply in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

In England and Wales, children start school the September after their fourth birthday.

In Northern Ireland, children start primary school in September if they turn four by 1 July of that year. Details on when to apply will be released on 12 December by the Education Authority.

Parents in England and Wales apply through their local council, either online or by using an application form.

In Scotland, parents don’t apply as places are centrally allocated.

In England and Wales, primary school offers are made on 16 April.

In Northern Ireland, places are offered at the end of April but the date has not yet been confirmed.

In Scotland, no offers are made, as councils decide which school children attend.

All state-funded schools must give top priority to children who are in care or being looked after, or who have been in care.

Priority may then be given to children:

Attending nursery or pre-school at a particular school does not guarantee a reception place.

If you miss the deadline in England and Wales, your application will not be considered until after the first round of offers has been made.

In Northern Ireland, you will only be able to apply to schools which still have places available after offers are made to those who applied on time.

In Scotland, as councils decide where children are placed, there is no deadline to miss.

In England, the local council must provide a place elsewhere, usually the nearest school that has spaces.

You can also put your child’s name on waiting lists for other schools – and these lists have to be open for at least the first term of each academic year.

In Northern Ireland, parents will be asked to choose a new preference from a list of schools that still have places.

In Scotland, the council selects a school in your local catchment area. You can ask for another school outside your local catchment area, and the council must allow this if there is space – but it is not guaranteed.

Parents can appeal, but rules vary across the UK.

In England and Wales, the final decision is made by an independent panel.

During a hearing, the council or school explains why the application was rejected and parents make the case for their child being admitted.

Applications can be turned down if classes are already at capacity.

In Scotland, councils have their own rules for appeals.