Applying for primary school for September 2023

If your child turns four on or between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2023, he or she can start primary school in September 2023.

You will be notified on 17 April of your child's school place.

The closing date for on-time applications has now passed. All applications submitted now are late applications.

To submit a late application

To submit a late application, please apply online, or alternatively you can contact the school admissions team at schooladmissions@sthelens.gov.uk for a paper copy.

Before you apply:

• Read the  primary education booklet (PDF) [5MB] (opens new window) , which contains useful information about the application process, including: how places will be allocated, definition of home address and how late applications will be dealt with. 
• Consider how your child will get to school and the potential transport costs.
• Clarify any issues you are not sure about with a member of the school admissions team - email schooladmissions@sthelens.gov.uk.

If your child is already attending primary school, find out how to transfer schools.

Deferred entry to primary school

Parents may request that their child's entry be deferred until later in the school year following their fourth birthday, providing they do not defer beyond the point at which they reach compulsory school age.

Children born in the summer term are not required to start school until a full year after the point at which they could first have been admitted - the point at which other children in their age range are beginning Year 1. In all cases, parents will be advised to discuss any request for deferred entry with the relevant primary school.

Admission of children outside their normal age group

As a general principle, the local authority believes that children should be educated within their chronological peer group. The National Curriculum enables schools to modify both the curriculum offered and the assessment procedures in order to meet individual needs. Inclusion, therefore, should be promoted through curriculum differentiation within the classroom, rather than by moving the child into another year group.

The School Admissions Code makes it clear that it is school admission authorities who are responsible for making the decision on which year group a child should be admitted to but they should make decisions on the basis of the circumstances of each case and in the best interests of the child concerned.

Privacy notice

The council has a legal responsibility to protect the data it collects. You can read the school admissions privacy notice.