How to Apply for a School Place in London (2026)

Applying for a school place in London can feel stressful, mainly because it’s competitive and the rules vary slightly by borough. The good news is that the process is structured and predictable once you understand the timeline, how admissions priorities work, and what evidence you need. This guide walks you through the full process for state schools in London — from choosing schools and understanding catchments to submitting your application, responding to offers, and using waiting lists or appeals.

For borough-by-borough context on primary quality, see our best primary schools in London by borough guide. For nurseries and funded hours before school age, see childcare options in London. For choosing where to live as a family, see best London boroughs for families and the London boroughs hub.

Who runs admissions?

London state schools are administered by local authorities (your borough council), even when the school itself is an academy or a faith school. In most cases, you apply through the borough where your child lives, not the borough where the school is located. The borough’s admissions team collects preferences, runs the allocation process, and issues the offer on National Offer Day. Schools publish their admissions criteria, but the council coordinates the allocation.

National overview: GOV.UK — school admissions. Primary applications: Apply for a primary school place. Secondary: Apply for a secondary school place.

Get the timing right

The first thing to get right is timing. For Reception entry (starting primary school), the main application window usually opens in early autumn and closes around mid-January. For Year 7 (secondary school), the deadline is typically earlier (often late October). Exact dates are published by each borough every year.

Missing the deadline can significantly reduce your chances of getting one of your preferred schools, so treat the deadline as non-negotiable. If you’re moving to London and don’t yet have permanent housing, apply using your confirmed address as soon as you have it. Most councils base allocation strictly on the address at the deadline, and they may ask for proof.

What “catchment” really means

Before you apply, understand what “catchment” means in London. Many parents think catchment is a fixed area with a boundary, but in most London admissions it is distance-based rather than a mapped zone. Places are offered to children living closest to the school gate until the year group fills.

Each year, the “cut-off distance” (the farthest child offered a place) changes depending on demand. Some boroughs publish historical cut-off distances for previous years; this is useful but not a guarantee. A school that offered up to 800 metres last year might only go to 500 metres this year if demand increases. Our London postcodes explained guide helps you map areas to boroughs when researching schools.

Admissions criteria and priority order

Admissions criteria work like a priority order. A typical state primary school might prioritise:

• Looked-after children (children in care)
• Previously looked-after children
• Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) naming that school
• Siblings already attending the school
• Then distance

Faith schools add religious criteria such as baptism certificates or regular worship attendance, usually supported by a priest or faith leader reference. Some schools have a priority for children in a defined parish. Popular schools may have very small distance ranges once higher priority groups are placed. Understanding each school’s published admissions criteria is essential — don’t rely on rumours or social media.

Build a realistic shortlist

The single most important practical step is to shortlist schools realistically. Many London families list one “stretch” school they love, plus a couple that are realistic based on distance, plus at least one that is almost certainly achievable.

Your borough application will allow you to rank preferences. You should always put schools in true preference order (the one you want most first), not strategic order. London uses an equal preference system: ranking a school first does not reduce your chance of getting into other schools. The council will try to offer your highest ranked school that can legally offer you a place. Be honest with your rankings — but ensure your list includes at least one realistic option.

To build a smart shortlist, start by reading Ofsted reports, but don’t treat them as the only indicator. Many Good-rated schools are excellent for children and families. Look at practical factors: walking distance, drop-off logistics, wraparound care, after-school clubs, SEND support, and pastoral culture. Visit schools if you can, even informally. Open days for primary schools usually take place in autumn. For secondary schools, open evenings are earlier in the year and are very popular — book quickly.

Proof of address and evidence

Once you know your preferred schools, check what evidence you need. Your borough will require proof of address. Commonly accepted documents include a council tax bill, a tenancy agreement plus utility bill, or certain official letters. Some boroughs are strict about the age of documents (e.g. within the last three months).

If you are living with family or friends, you may need extra evidence, such as a letter from the person you live with and proof that your child actually resides there. Be careful: councils investigate suspected “address fraud.” If you use a temporary or incorrect address to get into a school, you can lose the place later, even after an offer. Keep your evidence tidy and consistent.

Faith schools and supplementary forms

If you are applying for a faith school, you may need a supplementary information form (SIF) in addition to the borough application. The SIF is usually submitted directly to the school, not the council, and it often has the same deadline as the main application. Missing the SIF deadline can mean your application is treated as non-faith, which may drastically reduce your priority.

Faith schools often require proof like baptism certificates and a priest reference confirming attendance. Always read each school’s admissions page and checklist. See also our primary schools by borough guide for faith-school context.

SEND and EHCP placements

For children with significant additional needs, the process may be different. If your child has an EHCP, school placement is handled through the SEND team, and you may not follow the standard admissions route. If you believe your child needs an EHCP but does not yet have one, start that process early — it can take time. Even without an EHCP, schools have duties to support SEND, but the EHCP route provides stronger placement rights when a plan names a specific school.

Submitting your application online

The actual application is usually completed online via your borough council’s admissions portal. You create an account, enter your child’s details, your address, and rank your preferred schools. You may also be asked whether your child has siblings at a school, whether you are applying under faith criteria, and other priority information.

Be truthful and ensure you can prove what you claim (sibling link, address, religious attendance). Submit before the deadline and keep your confirmation email and reference number. If you don’t receive confirmation, log back in and check your application status. It’s worth taking screenshots of the final submission page for your records.

After the deadline: offers and National Offer Day

After the deadline, the council coordinates with other boroughs and schools to process allocations. You do not need to chase schools during this period; they cannot pre-offer places.

Offers are released on National Offer Day: early April for primary and early March for secondary (exact dates vary slightly by year). You will receive an email and can also log into the portal to view your offer. You will be offered one school — your highest preference that can offer a place under the rules.

If you receive your first choice, you accept and that’s it. If you receive a lower preference, you still accept it (to secure a place) and then consider waiting lists and appeals for higher preferences.

Waiting lists

Waiting lists are a normal part of London admissions. If you didn’t get your preferred school, you can usually ask to be placed on the waiting list for schools ranked above your offer. Waiting lists are not “first come, first served”; they are ordered by the same admissions criteria used for offers. That means you could move up or down as other children apply or move.

Waiting lists often move significantly after offers, because families relocate or accept independent school places. It’s common for some movement between April and September, especially in primary. If your child is fairly close to the cut-off distance, a place may become available — but there are no guarantees.

Appeals

Appeals are another option, but they should be used thoughtfully. An appeal is a formal process where you argue why your child should be admitted despite the school being full. The school will argue that admitting additional pupils would harm education provision. Appeals can succeed, but the success rate varies and often depends on strong evidence (medical, social, exceptional circumstances). “We like the school” is not enough. The appeal process is time-consuming, and it’s usually best to pursue it while also keeping your offered place secure.

In-year admissions

In-year admissions (moving school mid-year) work differently. If you move to London or need to change schools outside the normal admissions round, you apply for an in-year place through your borough or directly with schools (rules differ). In-year places depend on vacancies. If a year group is full, you may be offered an alternative nearby school. Again, address evidence matters, and waiting lists may apply.

Grammar and selective schools

Grammar schools and selective schools add another layer. Most London boroughs are comprehensive, but some areas (especially near grammar regions) include selection. If applying to selective schools, you must register for entrance tests early, often months before the main application deadline. Missing test registration usually means missing the chance. Even if your borough is not a grammar borough, you can apply to schools in other areas if you meet their criteria — but travel distance can be a challenge.

Practical checklist

Before the deadline

• Confirmed address and proof documents
• Child’s birth certificate or passport details
• Preferred school list ranked correctly
• Any SIF forms for faith schools completed and submitted
• Sibling proof if applicable
• Confirmation of submission saved

After offers

• Accept the offered place
• Join waiting lists where relevant
• Plan appeals only if you have strong evidence
• Keep everything in one folder: emails, reference numbers, copies of documents, and notes from school visits

New to London: fit matters as much as rankings

If you are new to London, remember that school quality is not only about league tables. A school that fits your family life — location, community, support, and culture — can be the best choice even if it isn’t the “most famous.” Many parents underestimate the daily impact of travel time. A brilliant school that requires a difficult commute can create stress for years. A strong local school with a short walk can make life far easier.

Use official sources, not rumours

Be careful about relying on unofficial advice. Admissions rules are written down and published. Borough councils publish full guides each year, and schools publish their criteria. When in doubt, read the official policy or call the admissions team. Many misunderstandings come from outdated information or assumptions.

Final advice

Applying for a school place in London is a structured process. If you respect deadlines, choose schools realistically, prepare your evidence, and understand how distance and criteria work, you will be in a strong position. Even if you don’t get your first choice on offer day, waiting lists and in-year movement mean outcomes can still change.

The most important things are: apply on time, keep records, and stay calm — London’s system is competitive, but it is designed to be transparent and rule-based.