Apply for a primary school place

Applications for September 2023

Apply online and on time - applying online is secure and is the quickest and easiest way to apply.

Everyone must apply for a school place, as there is no automatic entry for any school.

We strongly suggest you use your right to apply for three schools, ensuring that one is your catchment school (available on the school’s website). Selecting just one school will not increase the likelihood of being allocated a place there. Selecting three choices gives you the best opportunity of securing a place at a preferred school.

Before you apply for your child’s school place for September 2023, please make sure the following applies to you:  

  1. You live in Leicestershire.
  2. Your child is eligible to:
    • start primary school in September 2023 eg born between 1 September 2018 and 31 August 2019 inclusive
    • transfer from infant to junior school for the academic year 2023-24 eg born between 1 September 2015 and 31 August 2016. Note: applications for infant to junior transfers opened on 1 September 2022
  3. You know what school you would like your child to go to.
    If you’re not sure, use our find a school search.
  4. You know how your child will get to school
    If not, see the school transport section.
  5. You’ve read our helpful Your Guide to education which includes everything you need to know to apply for a school place and the priority criteria for how school places are allocated. Allocations are made using the admissions criteria and not the preference order. Choosing more than one school doesn't affect how your higher preference school(s) are considered.
    You can view the catchment area map in the find a school search or on the school's website.
  6. You've read the Hints and Tips below.

Closing dates

The closing date for primary school applications is 15 January 2023. You can still apply online after that date, but results won't be made available on offer day - 17 April.

Synergy Portals unavailable

Due to essential system maintenance, Synergy portals (including the Parent Portal) will be unavailable:

  • Thursday 23 March (6pm - 10pm)

We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Apply online

If you’re ready to apply...

Apply online for a school place  
Please note: this is a new portal and you will need to register.

If you need help using the portal please view our:  

Amend your application

If you have applied online and need to amend your application, please try to do this in the Parent Portal. If you find that you can't make an amendment in the Portal, it means that your application has already been passed to the School Admissions Team. In this case, please submit your amendment request in writing directly to the team, using our Admissions amendment request form.

Amendments can't be made over the phone.

Results for September 2023 applications

The results for the September 2023 primary school applications received by 15 January 2023 will be made available on primary school offer day -  17 April 2023.

You will be notified by email of the outcome of your application by 17 April 2023.

If you didn’t apply online and haven’t provided an email address then we’ll post a letter to you on 17 April 2023. This may take up to 5 days to arrive.

What happens next

If you’re happy with the school place offered to your child, you don’t need to do anything else.

If you wish to decline the offer of a school place, please notify School Admissions in writing urgently.

If you're refused a school place, you can find out how to appeal against a school place and check the waiting lists online.

Hints and Tips for applying

Hints and tips to help you with your application:

  • If you’re applying for more than one child to change school, you need to complete a separate application for each child.
  • Use your right to apply for three schools, but make sure that one choice is always your catchment school (available on the school’s website).
  • Read each school’s admissions policy before making an application; available on either the School policies page or the school's website - check the Your Guide to education - list of schools for more information.
  • You should only include additional information if it is relevant to the school's admission criteria.
  • If more than one parent has legal responsibility for your child, both parents must be in agreement over the school(s) requested.
  • Check that you press the 'submit' button and receive an acknowledgement email. If not, try again or contact School Admissions.
  • Make a note of your username and password.