How to get a school place when you move house
Contact the council for the area you're moving to as early as you can. They'll tell you which schools have places and how to apply.
- When
- 6 weeks or more before you move, earlier if you can
- How long
- About an hour, plus waiting for a decision
- Cost
- Free
What you'll need
- Your new address
- Proof of it, such as a tenancy agreement or mortgage offer
- Your child's date of birth and current school
What to do
Contact the new council's admissions team
For a move during the school year, ask about "in-year" applications. The council can tell you which schools have places.
Have proof of your new address ready
Councils can ask for it, for example a mortgage or rental agreement, along with proof that you'll be living there before the next term starts.
Know the main deadlines
If your child is starting primary or secondary school for the first time, applications close on 15 January for primary and 31 October for secondary.
Tell the current school
Give them your leaving date. They can pass your child's records to the new school.
If you skip this
Places are limited, most of all at popular schools. Apply late and it's much less likely you'll get the school you want, or one close to home.
Where to do it
Questions people ask
- Which council do I apply through?
- The one where you live, even if the school you want is in another council's area. If you haven't moved yet, contact the council you're moving to.
- We're not in England. Is it the same?
- No. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland each run admissions differently. Start with your new council or education authority.
This is one job. There are about twenty more.
Tell us when and where you're moving and get the full list, in the order to do it.
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