Applications for starting school for the first time in autumn 2024
From 1 September 2023 you can apply for a primary school place starting autumn 2024.
Check you meet the criteria and read our Tips for applying.
Apply online and on time - applying online is secure and is the quickest and easiest way to apply.
If you need to move school during term time, visit our apply to move school page.
Before you apply for your child’s school place for September 2024, please make sure the following applies to you:
- You live in Leicestershire.
- Your child is eligible to:
- start primary school in September 2024 e.g. born between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2020 inclusive
- transfer from infant to junior school for the academic year 2024-25 e.g. born between 1 September 2016 and 31 August 2017. Note: Applications for infant to junior transfers open on 1 September 2023.
- You know what school you would like your child to go to.
If you’re not sure, use our find a school search.
- You know how your child will get to school
If not, see the school transport section.
- 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 nearest schools along with catchment maps for local authority maintained schools in the find a school search. For academy school catchments, please visit the school website.
- You've read our Tips for applying and watched our Applying for a school place in Leicestershire video, to improve your chances of securing a place at a preferred school.
Closing dates
The closing date for primary school applications is 15 January 2024. You can still apply online after that date, but results won't be made available on offer day - 16 April 2024.
Apply
Tips for applying
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.
- We strongly suggest you select 3 schools, ensuring that 1 is your catchment school (available on the school’s website). Selecting just 1 school won't increase the likelihood of being allocated a place there. Selecting 3 choices gives you the best opportunity of securing a place at a preferred school.
- 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.
- Apply online and on time - applying online is secure and is the quickest and easiest way to apply.
- 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.
- Make sure you’re happy with your order of school preference before you submit your application.
- Once your application is complete, please remember to press submit. This will generate a confirmation email. If not, try again or contact School Admissions.
- Make a note of your username and password.
Please be aware that if we are unable to offer any of your preferences, we will offer you the nearest school to your home address with spaces.
Apply online
If you need help using the portal, please view our portal guidance.
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.
Portal guidance
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 fill in our Admissions amendment request form
Amendments can't be made over the phone.
Results for September 2024 intake
The results for the September 2024 primary school applications received by 15 January 2024 will be made available on primary school offer day - 16 April 2024.
You will be notified by email of the outcome of your application on the day.
If you didn’t apply online and haven’t provided an email address, then we’ll post a letter to you on 16 April 2024. This may take up to five 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, you will need to notify the School Admissions Service formally as a matter of urgency. You can do this via our Admissions contact form.
If you're refused a school place, you can find out how to appeal against a school place and check the waiting lists online.
