Primary School Place 2027: Apply by 15 January

By Bhagya, Vidh · Last updated: 14 November 2026

If your child was born between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2023, you are probably applying for their first school place this winter. In England the deadline is the same everywhere, but many details are set by your local council. This guide explains the national rules, what your council decides, and what happens after you apply.

Short answer: In England, apply for a September 2027 primary school place through your home council by Friday 15 January 2027. You can list at least three schools; your council sets the exact number. Applying early does not improve your chances if you meet the deadline. Offers arrive on National Offer Day, Friday 16 April 2027, and refusals can be appealed.

When is the deadline to apply for a primary school place for September 2027?

The national deadline is 15 January. The School Admissions Code, which applies in England, says: "The deadlines for submitting applications to be allocated on National Offer Day are 31 October for secondary school and 15 January for primary school." For September 2027 entry, that is Friday 15 January 2027.

Who is in this year's round? Councils give the dates of birth on their own pages. For example, Rutland County Council says: "If your child was born between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2023 they are eligible to start primary school in September 2027."

This guide covers England. GOV.UK says its primary application service is "Available in England and Wales only". Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own systems, so check with your council or education authority there.

Who applies, and how?

You apply to the council where you live, even if the school you want is in another area. GOV.UK says: "You apply through your local council even if you're applying for schools in another council area."

Most councils use an online portal, and some also offer a paper form. Portal opening dates, login steps and the exact closing time on 15 January are set by each council, so read your own council's admissions page and its guide for parents.

Councils also explain special cases. For example, Rutland says that if your child has an education, health and care plan (EHCP), you do not need to complete a primary school application, because the placement is discussed at your child's annual review. Check how your own council handles this.

How many schools can I list, and does the order matter?

The Code says: "Parents are able to express a preference for at least three schools." Your council may allow more, so check its guide.

The order you list schools in matters. The Code explains that parents "receive an offer from the local authority at the highest preference school at which a place is available." So put the school you would most like first, and list more than one school, including one you are likely to get a place at.

How do schools decide who gets a place?

If a school has more applicants than places, it uses its published oversubscription criteria. The Code says: "If a school is undersubscribed, any parent that applies must be offered a place." When a school is oversubscribed, its admission authority "must rank applications in order against its published oversubscription criteria".

The Code also sets one national rule: "All schools must have oversubscription criteria for each 'relevant age group' and the highest priority must be given" to looked after children and previously looked after children.

After that, criteria vary by school. Common examples include siblings, distance from home, catchment areas or faith criteria. Read each school's own admission arrangements before you choose, and look at how places were offered last year if your council publishes that.

Does applying early help?

No, as long as you meet the deadline. Rutland County Council puts it clearly: "It does not matter how soon you submit your application as long as you submit it by the closing date. All applications received by the closing date will be treated equally."

What does help is using the time well:

• Visit schools or attend open events, and ask how the school keeps parents informed. Our guide to what parents really want from a school app has questions to ask.
• Read each school's admission arrangements and oversubscription criteria.
• Check your address and documents, and keep your council's confirmation email.
• If the school runs buses, ask how transport works. Our guide to school bus tracking for parents explains what to look for.

What happens on 16 April 2027, and can I appeal?

The Code says the offer is made on National Offer Day, "16 April for primary schools (or the next working day where 1 March or 16 April fall on a weekend or bank holiday)". In 2027, 16 April is a Friday.

If you are not offered a school you listed higher up, you can appeal. GOV.UK says: "If your child is refused a place, you can appeal against the decision. The letter will tell you how." It adds: "You must appeal against each rejection separately. You can only appeal once against each rejection."

GOV.UK also says the admission authority must allow you at least 20 school days to appeal from when it sends the decision letter. The letter and your council will give the exact steps.

Once you have a place, the next steps are about the first day. Our night-before school bag checklist and our guide to choosing a parent-teacher communication app can help when September comes.

Vidh connects management, teachers, parents and students around each child.

Questions parents ask

My child is summer born. Can they start later?

The Code says children are entitled to a full-time place in the September after their fourth birthday, and that parents can defer the start until later in the school year, but not beyond compulsory school age. Parents of a summer born child, born from 1 April to 31 August, can also ask for admission to reception a year later, out of their normal age group. Each admission authority sets out its own process. Rutland, for example, says you must still submit an application and request the delay alongside it.

What if we move house?

Contact your new council's admissions team as soon as you know. How a change of address is handled before and after the deadline is set by each council.

Do twins or siblings get a place together?

It depends on each school's oversubscription criteria. Many schools give priority to siblings, but the rules differ, so read each school's arrangements.

What if I miss 15 January?

The Code describes late applications as those submitted too late for an offer on National Offer Day. Each council publishes how it handles them, so apply as soon as you can and contact your council.

We live in Scotland or Northern Ireland. Does this apply?

No. This guide covers England. Scotland and Northern Ireland have different systems, so check with your local council or education authority.

Sources

• GOV.UK, Apply for a primary school place: https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-primary-school-place
• Department for Education, School Admissions Code 2021 (in force from 1 September 2021; GOV.UK page last updated 11 March 2022): https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/60ebfeb08fa8f50c76838685/School_admissions_code_2021.pdf
• Rutland County Council, Starting primary school (council example): https://www.rutland.gov.uk/education-learning/school-admissions/starting-primary-school
• GOV.UK, School admissions: Appealing a school's decision: https://www.gov.uk/schools-admissions/appealing-a-schools-decision

All sources were opened on 10 November 2026.

About Vidh

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