Window now open to apply for primary and secondary school places

Parents and carers can now apply for a place in the normal year of entry at a primary (including infant and junior) school and secondary school for September 2025.
Published: 12 Sep 2024

The deadline for applications to secure a place at a secondary school is Thursday 31 October 2024 and for primary school places, including infant and junior schools, the deadline is Wednesday 15 January 2025.

All applications received by the relevant closing date are processed at the same time using the schools’ oversubscription criteria to prioritise applications when necessary. Late applications are processed after all of those received on time.

Last year, Suffolk County Council received just under 15,000 on time applications for pupils wishing to start at a primary or infant school, or to transfer to a junior school, or into Year 7 at a secondary school from September 2024.

94.7% of applicants received offers for their first preference school and 98.5% of applicants received an offer for one of their top three preferred schools.

“Parents and carers need to carefully consider which schools to apply for on behalf of their child. To make sure they have the best chance of getting a place at one of their preferred schools, they need to make sure they complete and submit their application by the relevant closing date. We recommend that parents and carers apply for more than one school, and they can list up to three schools on their application.” “I would strongly advise that parents and carers think about how their child will travel to school before they apply for a school place. It is important that parents and carers check which is their child’s nearest suitable school on our Nearest School Checker because this might not be their catchment area school. This can be found at http://nearestschool.suffolk.gov.uk/.”
Councillor Andrew Reid, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and SEND
Councillor Andrew Reid, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Education and SEND

Further information on SCC’s School Travel Policy can be found at www.suffolkonboard.com/schooltravel.

Parents and carers should apply online at www.suffolk.gov.uk/admissions as they will receive confirmation that their application has been received. If for any reason they are unable to apply online they should apply on a paper application (CAF1). Suffolk County Council is unable to acknowledge receipt of paper applications and therefore suggest that proof of posting is obtained.

If families are planning to move house or think their circumstances may change before next September, it is still important to make an application on time using the current address. It is recommended to apply for schools based on the current address in case the proposed move falls through. Advice and guidance about this process is available at www.suffolk.gov.uk/admissions.

Families who apply online will be able to log on to the Online Service on the National Offer Day, which is Monday 3 March 2025 for secondary school places and Wednesday 16 April 2025 for primary school places, to see their offer of a school place, and they will receive an email to confirm this offer on the same day. Offer letters will be sent by second class post to applicants who made a paper application.

Information to help parents and carers make their application is available at www.suffolk.gov.uk/admissions.