Applying for a place in Reception - September 2021

Admission to Primary Schools September 2021 entry

You need to apply now for September 2021:

• if your child's fifth birthday is between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022 for a place at first, infant or primary school.
• if your child will be in year 2 at an infant school in September 2020 for a junior/primary school.
• if you child will be in year 4 at a first school in September 2020 for a place at middle school.

See the timetable further down this page for key dates in the process.

If you are moving to Staffordshire from abroad, please see the information on moving from overseas.

If you want to apply to change schools during the academic year, or your child does not currently have a school place, please see the information on in-year admissions.

Our online search and compare tool will help you to find information about your nearest schools, including performance information, teacher/pupil ratios and much more.

Making an application

The quickest and easiest way to apply is online.  A link to the online application system will appear here once applications open.  You must apply through the local authority where your child lives not where your preferred schools are located.

What if I can't apply online or have a problem?

You can call us on 0300 111 8007 and select the option for 'School Admissions and Transport' or email admissions@staffordshire.gov.uk so we can help you.

As a last resort, you can complete the relevant paper application form but it really is better to apply online. Please note: Paper application forms sent by post will not receive an acknowledgement of receipt and you will not receive your school place offer by email on 16 April 2021

You can then either:

• Email the form to admissions@staffordshire.gov.uk
• Or print out the form and post it to:

School Admissions and Transport Service, Staffordshire County Council, 1 Staffordshire Place, Stafford, ST16 2DH. 

Timeline 

November

The application system will open on 1 November 2020. You should only use this system if your child lives in Staffordshire.

• You are strongly advised to make more than one preference.
• We recommend you include your catchment area school. There are some schools in Staffordshire who do not operate a catchment area within their admission arrangements.
• Understand the admission arrangements for your preferred school(s) and view further information on how places are allocated.
• Consider how your child will get to school. Very few children are entitled to free or discounted home-to-school travel assistance.
• If you are applying for an academy, foundation or voluntary aided school you may need to provide extra information or submit a supplementary form.

January

Applications will close on 15 January 2021.

• Last year there were over 200 late applications. This may have affected the outcome of these applications.
• The late application policy (detailed in the published admission arrangements) will apply to those applications made after the closing date.

Applications sent to and received from other local authorities.

February

Application details and supporting documentation sent to acadmies, aided and foundation schools.

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March

Academies, aided and foundations schools forward lists of all preferences ranked in accordance with their admission arrangements to the county council.

Provisional offers shared between local authorities.

Final offers exchanged between local authorities.

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April

Parents receive outcomes on National Offer Day, 16 April 2021.

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April - August

Processing of late applications and any available places allocated from waiting lists.

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June - July

Appeals heard by independent appeal panels.