Applications for Nottinghamshire primary and junior school places open

Nottinghamshire County Council has announced that applications are now open for primary and junior school places for the next academic year.

Parents whose children will turn five years old between 1 September 2023 and 31 August 2024, and for those whose children are transferring from infant (year 2) to junior or primary school (year 3), have until Sunday 15 January 2023 to complete their application on time.

The easiest way is to complete the application form online which can be accessed by clicking here.

Online applications can be amended at any time before the closing date and parents can access their school offer on national offer day itself before any offer letters are mailed out.

Councillor Tracey Taylor, Cabinet Member for children and young people, said: "We have a good track record of getting children a place at one of their preferred schools. Last year, over 99% of families in Nottinghamshire who applied on time were allocated one of their four preference infant, primary or junior schools.

"Whilst we continue to work very hard to meet a parental preference, there are some important factors parents and carers should consider before they apply. They should apply on time, understand the criteria for each school they include, list four realistic preferences and, if possible, visit local schools before applying."

Any applications received after the closing date, or any changes to preferences received after the closing date, are considered as late applications and will be processed only after all of the on-time applications.

For the best chance of being offered a place they are happy with, the council advises parents and carers to list four schools and to include schools where children would meet the higher eligibility criteria for admission. 

There is no guarantee that a child who attends a school's foundation unit, nursery class or early years' group will get a place in reception at that same school. Admission to school at Reception age is a regulated process, so parents must make a formal application for a place.

Likewise, if a child is in year 2 at an infant school, there is no automatic transfer to year 3 at junior or primary.

Parents of children living in Nottinghamshire should apply through Nottinghamshire County Council, even if they wish to apply for schools in other local authority areas such as Nottingham City or Derbyshire.

The easiest way to apply for a place is online, but parents who do not have internet access can telephone 0300 500 80 80 to apply.

Those who apply online will be able to log in to their account on National Offer Day, Monday, 17 April 2023, to view the outcome of their application. If parents provide an email address, the outcome will be sent by email. All other applications will be mailed by second class post on National Offer Day.

For more information about the process click here.