Understanding school admissions
Admissions can feel complicated. These guides explain how catchment areas, deadlines, preferences and appeals work, so you can plan with confidence and check the official criteria that apply to you.
Why admissions criteria matter most
Places are allocated using each school's published oversubscription criteria — often siblings, faith and distance — not by quality alone. Understanding the criteria for the schools you want is the single most useful thing a family can do.
Plan around the timeline
Application windows and offer dates are set each year by your local authority. These guides explain the typical timeline and how preferences and waiting lists work, so you can prepare early.
Featured guides
Understanding catchment areas
How catchment areas and oversubscription criteria work, why they change, and how to check them before you apply or move.
Applying for primary school places
The primary school application timeline — when to apply, how places are offered and what to do if you need to appeal.
Questions families ask
How do catchment areas work?
A catchment is the area a school prioritises, but places are allocated using the full oversubscription criteria set by the admissions authority. Always check each school's published criteria.
When do I apply for a school place?
Applications for a September start usually open the previous autumn and close in mid-January for primary, with offers in spring. Confirm exact dates with your local authority each year.
Related categories
Keep researching
Fammove educates, it does not recommend. We explain how families research schools using official data and anonymised community insights — this is information, not rankings or advice. We never fabricate statistics; always check the official source linked from each school.