The School Admissions Process Explained: Key Dates, Rules & Tips

Key Dates for 2026/27 Admissions

Don't miss the deadline. Late applications are processed after all on-time applications, significantly reducing your chances of getting a preferred school.

How Admissions Work

Every school has a Published Admission Number (PAN) — the maximum number of children it can admit in each year group. When a school receives more applications than it has places, it is oversubscribed and must use its published criteria to decide who gets in.

Typical Oversubscription Criteria

Most schools use these criteria, in priority order:

1. Looked-after children and previously looked-after children — always given highest priority by law
2. Children with an EHCP naming the school — legally entitled to a place
3. Siblings — children with a brother or sister already at the school
4. Distance — how close you live, measured either as a straight line ("as the crow flies") or by the shortest safe walking route
5. For faith schools: religious commitment (usually evidenced by a supplementary form)
6. Staff children — some schools give priority to children of employees

Understanding Distance

Distance is the most common tie-breaker. Each year, oversubscribed schools have a cut-off distance — the distance at which the last place was offered. This varies every year depending on the applicant pool.

You can often find historical cut-off distances in a school's admissions information or by contacting the local authority. This is the best indicator of your chances.

Making Your Application

Use All Your Preferences

You can typically list 3 to 6 preferences (depending on your local authority). Using all your preferences does not affect your chances of getting your first choice. The system works on an "equal preference" basis — each school considers your application without knowing where you've ranked it.

Strategy Tips

• Put your genuine first choice first
• Research cut-off distances for popular schools
• Include at least one school where you're confident of getting a place
• Apply for your catchment school even if it's not your first choice

What NOT to Do

• Don't list only one school thinking it shows commitment — it doesn't
• Don't assume a school will give you priority because you attended an open day
• Don't move house temporarily to be closer to a school — this is fraud

Waiting Lists

If you don't get your first-choice school, you'll automatically be placed on the waiting list (for your higher-preference schools). Key facts:

• Waiting list position is determined by the oversubscription criteria, not by when you joined
• Your position can go up or down as other children join or leave the list
• Schools must maintain waiting lists for at least the first term (to 31 December)
• You can ask the school how many children are on the list and your position

Appeals

You have the legal right to appeal for a place at any school that has refused you. The appeal is heard by an independent panel — not by the school or local authority.

Grounds for Appeal

• The school hasn't followed its own admissions policy correctly
• The admissions policy doesn't comply with the admissions code
• The decision was unreasonable — the prejudice to your child of not being admitted outweighs the prejudice to the school of having an extra pupil

The Process

1. Submit your appeal in writing by the deadline (usually 20 school days after the offer)
2. Attend the hearing — you can bring a friend, relative, or adviser
3. Present your case — explain why this school is right for your child
4. The panel decides — their decision is binding on the school

Infant Class Size Appeals (Reception to Year 2)

These are harder to win because of the legal limit of 30 pupils per class. The panel can only admit your child if:

• The admissions authority made a mistake
• The decision was unreasonable
• The admissions arrangements don't comply with the code

Useful Resources

• Apply for a school place (GOV.UK)
• School admissions code
• School admissions appeals code
• Compare schools in your area on the What School

The admissions process can feel stressful, but understanding how it works gives you a real advantage. Do your research, use all your preferences, and remember — most children thrive wherever they end up.