Frequently Asked Questions
- My child attends the nursery class at my preferred school. Will she/he be given priority for admission?
- What if I want to change my order of preferences after I have submitted my application?
- Can I apply for a place outside Birmingham?
- If I already have an older child in attendance at my preferred school, do I still have to apply?
- What happens if I change my address after the closing date?
- Will I need to provide any additional information?
- Will my application be acknowledged?
- I don't live in Birmingham; can I apply to send my child to a Birmingham school?
- What happens if I provide false information?
- How do I put my child name on a waiting list if my application is unsuccessful?
- Can I apply for Independent Schools on the Local Authority Preference Form?
My child attends the nursery class at my preferred school. Will she/he be given priority for admission?
No, attendance at a nursery class does not give a child automatic priority. All parents / carers must apply for their child's reception place by completing the preference form.
What if I want to change my order of preferences after I have submitted my application?
Once you have submitted your preferences, you will be unable to change them without an exceptional reason, such as a house move.
Can I apply for a place outside Birmingham?
Yes, you can use the Birmingham online form to apply for schools inside and outside of Birmingham. We strongly recommend that you contact the relevant local authority for their information booklet. This will help you decide whether your application is likely to be successful based on previous year’s admissions.
If I already have an older child in attendance at my preferred school, do I still have to apply?
Yes, all parents must apply in the same way. It is important that you clearly write the full name and date of birth of any older brothers or sisters that are in attendance at any of your preferred schools.
What happens if I change my address after the closing date?
We may be unable to take your new address into consideration when offering your child's school place. However, you will still need to inform the School Admissions and Pupil Placements Service and send acceptable proof of your new address to ensure that you receive your offer letter.
Will I need to provide any additional information?
Some schools will require you to complete an additional or supplementary information form. These forms will be available from the school or the School Admissions and Pupil Placements Service. You should check whether any of the schools you are interested in require this.
Will my application be acknowledged?
All applications are acknowledged when preferences are entered on the system between December and January. If you have not received an acknowledgement by the final closing date of 15 January 2013 please contact the School Admissions and Pupil Placements Service.
I do not live in Birmingham; can I apply to send my child to a Birmingham school?
Yes, you are welcome to apply for any Birmingham School. You will need to contact your local authority (the Council to which you pay your Council Tax) for their preference form. You can include Birmingham schools on that form and return it to them.
What happens if I provide false information?
All information from parents is verified. If it is later discovered that you have provided false information the offer of the school place is liable to be withdrawn.
How do I put my child's name on a waiting list if my application is unsuccessful?
If your application for a community or voluntary controlled school has been unsuccessful, your child's details will automatically be added to each school’s waiting list in accordance with the order of priority for offering places. Academies, voluntary aided and foundation schools are responsible for maintaining their own waiting lists so you will need to contact them directly for details.
Can I apply for Independent Schools on the Local Authority Preference Form?
No, you will need to contact these schools directly.