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Many parents are awaiting news about their children’s primary school placements.
Families have just enjoyed an Easter together and today many will be celebrating the next milestone in their children’s lives as it’s National Offer day – the day families find out where their children will be going to school.
Here is what you need to know about when you’ll find out if your child has a place in your chosen school – and what to do if they’ve missed out.
When are primary school admissions announced in England?
In England, primary school offers are sent out to families by local councils today (Monday, April 19).
As they are sent by post, times will differ from household to household, dependent on the postal delivery service in each area.
Royal Mail have said that delays are expected in some areas, so the letter may not arrive until early next week.
If you applied online, you will receive the decision via email.
Have a look at your local council’s website for more information or to find out your results if you applied online.
Parents and guardians will have to respond to the offers within a certain deadline or risk losing their child’s placement.
The deadline – which is detailed in the acceptance offer – varies from school to school.
How to appeal an admission
If a child does not get a place at their first choice school, local councils will offer them place at a nearby school with available spaces.
Each letter will outline details on how to appeal the decision, with parents allowed 20 days from when the letter is sent to appeal an admission.
If you receive multiple rejections, you have to appeal against each one separately – note that you can only lodge one appeal per rejection.
If you do appeal, you’ll need to submit evidence to support your claim, which will then be investigated by a panel.
At the appeal hearing, you will be able to discuss why your child wasn’t given a place initially, and potentially overturn the decision.
When must my child start school?
The 2022/23 school year begins at the start of September, but the date will vary depending on your area.
Some councils begin on Thursday, September 1, while may start the week after.
To find out the exact start date for next year, find your local council here.
When can I apply for next year?
Most children start school full-time in the September after they turn four, meaning they’ll turn five during their first school year.
If your child was born in the summer (April 1 to August 31), you can apply in the autumn after they turn five.
This means December 31, March 31 or August 31 following a child’s fifth birthday – whichever comes first.
Children born between September 1, 2015, and August 31, 2017, are able to start primary school in September 2022.
Applications closed at midnight on January 15 2022.
When completing the application, either online or paper, you will be asked to list the schools you’re applying for in order of preference – you must apply for at least three schools.
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