In the UK, the deadline for applying for primary school places is usually around mid-January, with specific dates varying by local authority. Parents can usually list their preferred schools in order of preference on the application form.
After the application deadline has passed, the local authority will process the applications and allocate places based on their admission criteria, which may include factors such as proximity to the school, siblings already attending the school, and faith criteria for schools with a religious affiliation.
The announcement of primary school places in the UK varies by local authority, but it is typically made on or around April 16th. Parents will usually receive notification of their child's allocated school place by email or letter.
When you find out which school has been allocated to your child then there are some steps you can take to prepare your child for starting school.