When do I apply?
If your child:
- will be 4 between 1st September 2011 and 31st August 2012 and starting primary school in September 2012 (in some parts of the county this may be an infant or lower school)
- is in the final year at an Infant School (Year 2) and due to transfer to Junior School in September 2012
- is in the final year of a Lower School (Year 4) and due to transfer to Middle School in September 2012
The closing date for applications was 12 noon on 16th January 2012. If you have not yet made an application you must apply as soon as possible.
How do I make a late application?
Before you make an application please refer to the "Applying for a Primary School Place in Northamptonshire for September 2012" guidance booklet. You can download a copy from the link below or there are reference copies in primary schools. This contains guidance on how to apply, school details and oversubscription criteria.
We strongly recommend that you read this booklet before making an application.
Please note:
- Hunsbury Park Primary School (Northampton) will be be allocated 60 pupils for September 2012. This is different to the admission number published in the booklet.
- Kingsthorpe Village Primary School's admission number for September 2012 is 30, not 60 as stated in the booklet.
The application process involves you filling out a preference form where you tell us of three schools you would be happy for your child to go to. This can either be done online or using a paper preference form.
There are two ways to make a late application:
Remember that you are not choosing a school for your child, you are expressing a preference.
Please bear in mind that some primary schools require you to fill in an additional form as well, if you have listed them amongst your preferences. These forms need to be returned to the school to which you are applying.
Reception year applications
You may have already given your child's details to a school. Please note that this does not guarantee a place at the school and no priority is given to these pupils. You must complete a local authority application form.
You must apply for a school place even if:
- your child has an older brother or sister at the school
- your child is attending a nursery class or nursery unit at the school.
Please do not assume a place will be automatically allocated in these cases.
It is a parent's responsibility to ensure an application is completed for their child. School places are allocated strictly using the oversubscription admission criteria and not on a first come first served basis.
Junior / Middle School Applications
Your child will have received information on transferring to junior or middle school in September 2011 through their current school (if in Northamptonshire).
All infant schools have a linked junior school and children attending the infant school have some priority within the oversubscription criteria.
In the same way, the lower schools in East Northants have a linked middle school and children attending the lower schools and living in the linked area have some priority within the oversubscription criteria.
Each year a small number of parents choose to state a preference for a primary school (age range 4 - 11) rather than a junior or middle school. Primary schools do not have a natural intake at year 3 or 5, therefore, preferences for primary schools will not be considered in the same way. The Admissions team will write to any parent who states a preference for a primary school with further information.
How do I find out about schools that I am interested in?
Most schools will hold open events during the Autumn term. If you want to visit a school after this time you should contact them directly to make an appointment.
What if my child has a statement of special needs?
If your child has a statement of special educational needs please refer to the following guidance:
How do I apply for a primary school in another county?
The allocation of primary school places is coordinated, meaning parents must apply to their home authority. Therefore, if you live in Northamptonshire you must apply to Northamptonshire County Council even if your preferred school is in another authority.
Equally, if you are not resident in Northamptonshire, you must apply through your home authority even if your preferred school is in Northamptonshire.
Use the following link to contact your local authority:
When will I find out which school my child has been allocated a place at?
On 2nd May 2012 we will post a letter to your home address to tell you where your child has been allocated a school place.
How are school places allocated?
When a school receives more applications than places available (known as the Published Admission Number or PAN), the school's oversubscription criteria are applied to determine to whom the places are offered.
The oversubscription criteria for each primary school can be found in the Information for Parents booklet.
For more information regarding individual schools i.e. Ofsted Reports and DfE performance data please visit the:
The DfE School Admissions Code does not allow the allocation of school places on a 'first preference first' basis. This means that all admission authorities must consider all pupils stating a preference regardless of whether it is a first, second or third preference. This process is known as 'equal preferencing'. A more detailed explanation is given below.
Every year, for a small number of pupils, it is not possible to offer any of their preferences. This can be due to parents only stating one preference, or the application being late. In these cases the council will offer a place at the nearest school with places available.
Information in languages other than English