Deadline for reception class placements is 15th January

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January 5, 2026
2 min read

Deadline for reception class placements is 15th January

The deadline to apply for a reception class place in September is the 15^th January, parents and guardians are warned. The date is nationally set with applications going through local authorities.

Primary placements are not as “hotly contested” as secondary schools, the BBC says, with over 90% of families securing their first choice. Late applications however are less likely to be successful, councils warn.

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Application details can be found via the website of your local authority. That includes parents who wish to apply for a school in a different local authority. The deadline is for children who will turn five between 1^st September 2026 and 31^st August 2027. Councils manage the process throughout their area but schools set their individual admissions policy. Each authority has its own guide for parents such as information on catchment areas and other issues.

The Good Schools Guide provides more information on its website. Most local councils have a list of primary schools in their area, including the specific criteria for each one. Every school is obligated to publish admissions information on its website.

The Department for Education announced £195 million towards both primary and secondary places last year, and £520 million for placements in 2026.

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