How to apply for a place in School/Setting for 5-to-16 year olds
Applications open on different days in each local authority (Council) for your area.Find out from your local council when applications open for primary or secondary schools.
Applying for a primary school place
Children in Birmingham can start school (Reception) in the September after their fourth birthday.
Example: If your child was born between 1 September 2017 and 31 August 2018, they will be able to start school in September 2022.
Applications in Birmingham open on 1 October and will close the following 15 January for entry in September of the same year.
Read more about,applying for a place Primary School
Attendance at a nursery class does not give a child automatic priority for a place. Do not wait until the child is five years old, or your preferred school may already be full.
Birmingham City Council’s School Admissions and Fair Access Service publishes information on their website, informing parent/carers on how to start their child at school.
However, the responsibility for applying online for a child to start reception class remains solely with the person that has parental responsibility.
When you will find out?
Councils will send offers of school places for primary schools on 16 April or the next working day if that falls on a weekend or bank holiday.
Infant to junior transition
In Birmingham, if the child attends a primary school it is not necessary for you to apply for a junior school place. The child will automatically transfer to Year 3 at the same school.
However, if the child attends infant school, it is necessary for them to apply to transfer to another school for their junior education.
For Birmingham schools if there are more applications than places, priority will be given to looked after (children in care) or previously looked after children.
If you have any queries further to this, more information can be found here: Transfer from a linked Infant School to a linked Junior school
Applying for a secondary school place
Read more about, applying for a place at secondary school
The transition from primary to secondary school is an important life transition that can affect children’s attainment and wellbeing in the longer term.
It is important to check the admissions arrangements for your preferred schools as looked after and previously looked after children are not always afforded the highest priority if a school receives more applicants than they have places available, though this mainly applies to certain faith schools.
You must apply through your local authority for a place at a secondary school, even if it’s linked to your child’s current primary school. Normal secondary school admissions are at 11+ into year 7. The social worker and carer should consult with the Birmingham Virtual school to ensure that the setting chosen is suitable for the child and transition support can be put in place.
Some schools will ask you to send supplementary information directly to them. Supplementary information forms are available from the school. Once you have submitted the information form to the school, make sure you also submit your online application, or you will not be considered for a place at that school.
The deadline for applying is 31 October for a place at secondary school starting the following September.
Your child is less likely to be offered a place at one of their preferred schools if you miss the deadline for applications.
Application information for a secondary school place on the GOV.UK website
When you will you find out?
Councils will send notifications of secondary school offers on 1 March. If either date falls on a weekend or a bank holiday, offers will be sent on the next working day.
Currently, in Birmingham, you only need to advise the Council if they are refusing the place offered to your child by the deadline stated in the offer letter. In other councils you may need to accept the place offered by the deadline in their offer letter or that place may be withdrawn, and the place given to another child.
In Birmingham, if your child does not meet the criteria for any of your preferred schools, your child will be placed at one of the nearest schools with a place available after all preferences have been considered.
