When to apply for primary schools and when do children start school?

Knowing when to apply for primary schools in the UK will give you a better chance of not missing out on the school of your choice. 

Normally, primary school admissions are announced on 16 April each year - this is when parents will find out if their child got a primary school place at their chosen school for the next academic year. Starting school is a huge milestone in your child’s development and can feel just as emotional for parents!

The deadline to apply for schools is earlier than you might think, so if you’ve been thinking about where you’d like your child to go, read on to find out everything you need to know about when to apply for primary schools.

When to apply for primary schools in the UK

Applications start a year before your child will go to primary school. For example,  applications for primary school places open in September 2023 for children due to start school in the academic year beginning in September 2024. So this means you need to make sure you get your application in the year before they are due to start school.

The deadline for primary school applications is 15 January 2024. To apply for primary schools, your child must be aged three or just turned four.

Just because your child is at a nursery or infant school that has a linked primary school doesn’t mean their place is secured - you will still need to put in an application.

How do I apply for a primary school place in the UK? 

To apply for a place at a state primary school, you need to go through your local authority. Most councils allow you to apply online, but some might get you to fill out an application form. 

You can start the process of applying online by heading to Gov.uk and putting in your postcode. This will find your local authority and you can then follow the instructions to start your application online.

Before applying for a primary school it’s recommended that you visit the school you want your child to attend, as well as a couple of back up options in case you don’t get your first choice. 

Contact the school to make an appointment, or look on their website to find out if they have an open day where parents can come and look at the facilities and talk to teachers at the same time. Often schools prefer to have an open day, so don’t assume you can come and visit the school whenever you like, as this may not be possible.

It’s also worth bearing in mind that some primary and infant schools have catchment (or designated) areas. This is basically the local area surrounding the school where it usually takes most of its pupils.

If you want to apply for a place at a private primary school, you will need to apply directly through the school.

When do children start school?

Children start school full-time in the September after they turn four. This means they will turn five during their first year at school.

If you think your child isn't ready to start school full-time in the September after they turn four, perhaps because they have a late summer birthday and will be very young in their year, then you can your child can start school later.

They just need to be in full-time education before they reach ‘compulsory school age’.

Compulsory school age is defined by the government as follows: "Your child must start full-time education once they reach compulsory school age. This is on 31 December, 31 March or 31 August following their fifth birthday - whichever comes first. If your child’s fifth birthday is on one of those dates then they reach compulsory school age on that date.

"For example, if your child reaches compulsory school age on 31 March, they must start full-time education at the beginning of the next term (summer term that year)."

What if I want my child to start primary school later? 

If you think your child isn’t ready to start school full-time in the September after they turn four, perhaps because they have a late summer birthday and are still quite young for their year, then they can start later.

They just have to be in full-time education before they reach ‘compulsory school age’.

According to Gov.uk, compulsory school age is on 31 December, 31 March or 31 August following their fifth birthday - whichever comes first. If your child's fifth birthday is on one of those dates then they reach compulsory school age on that date.

They can start:

• Part time
• Part-way through the year
• In the next school year after they turn five

You’ll still need to apply for a school place at the same time as everyone else. Just make sure you request your child’s later start when you apply.