As the new school year approaches, parents in England and Wales are reminded to apply for their child’s secondary school place by the upcoming deadline. However, it’s important to note that different rules apply for parents in Northern Ireland and Scotland.
In Wales, applications are open for at least six weeks during September and October, with closing dates determined by individual local authorities. In Scotland, councils are responsible for deciding where children are placed, so there is currently no application deadline.
Parents residing in England can apply online through their local council’s website or by using the council’s application form. It’s important to note that parents must still apply through their local council even if they want their child to attend a school outside their local area. For children living in 33 London local authority areas and Surrey, applications are collated centrally by the Pan-London Co-ordinated Admissions Scheme.
For parents with children who have special education needs and disabilities, schools in England are required to give them a place according to their Education, Health and Care plan. Similarly, in Wales, a child’s SEND statement will specify a particular school chosen by their local authority while councils in Scotland are obliged to work with parents and their child’s support professionals to choose the best option for their secondary education.
While schools in England and Wales release their decisions on 1 March, post-primary school places in Northern Ireland are released on 20 May. School admissions criteria vary across schools, and while children in care receive top priority, schools often prioritise children from a particular religion or those who pass an entrance exam. Results from a recent University of Bristol study of 3,250 secondary schools in England, whose pupils started in September 2020, found that only 5% of schools prioritised poorer pupils.
Parents also need to be aware of the appeals process in their respective countries in case their child doesn’t get a place at their top choice school. However, if you happen to apply for a place after the deadline in England and Wales, your application will not be considered until after the first round of offers are made the following March. In Northern Ireland, parents who miss the deadline can submit a paper application during the subsequent three weeks, while in Scotland, councils decide where children are placed, so there is no deadline to miss
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