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Schools and education

Starting primary or infant school for the first time

Apply for an infant or primary school place for your child by 15 January in the school year your child turns four.

Guide for Parents

Refer to our Guide for Parents before applying for a school place, as it contains key information on school admissions.

Starting Reception in September 2024

Apply for a primary school place online

The national application deadline is 15 January 2024.

If you applied online, your application result will be available online from 10.00am on National Offer Day, Tuesday 16 April 2024. You'll require your username and password.

Delayed and deferred admission to infant or primary school

Most children start infant or primary school in the September of the school year they turn five.

You may request for them to start later, depending on your child's date of birth. Refer to our delayed and deferred admission policy for further information.

Delayed admission

Starting school in the same school year but at a later date is known as 'Delayed' admission.

Discuss this option with your child's school once you've been allocated a place.

Deferred admission

Starting Reception one school year later than your child's peers is known as 'Deferred' admission.

You may request this:

  • only if your child's birthday is between 1 April and 31 August
  • by 15 January with your original application

Speak to our Education Support Services team for further advice if you're considering this option.

Infant and junior school place applications

If you apply for a Reception place at an infant school, you'll also need to apply for a Year 3 place at a junior school when your child reaches Year 2, as admission to junior school is not automatic.

Sibling links at infant and primary schools

A ‘sibling link’ is where your child already has an older sibling at your chosen school. In this case, your school place application is considered a higher priority than those without siblings attending the school.

Infant school sibling links

At infant school, this includes any brothers or sisters (including half and step-brothers or sisters), who live in the same house as their primary place of residence, and attend the preferred infant school in Reception or Year 1 at the time of application.

It does not include siblings who are either:

  • in Year 2 at the infant school, or
  • at a nearby junior school at the time of admission

Primary school sibling links

A 'sibling link' at a primary school includes any brothers or sisters (including half and step-brothers or sisters), who live in the same house as their primary place of residence, and attend the preferred primary from Reception to Year 5 at the time of application.

Supplementary information forms (SIF)

If you're applying for a school place outside the City of York area, or a faith school (such as your local Church of England or Roman Catholic primary or secondary school), you must always apply to your home Local Authority.

You may also need to provide additional information such as:

Check directly with the school whether a SIF is required.

Also see

Education Support Services

West Offices, Station Rise, York, YO1 6GA

Telephone: 01904 551554