Apply for reception class or primary school

Apply online - changes of preferences and late applications

The closing date for primary school applications was 11:59pm on 15 January 2025. 

Late applications opened on 16 January 2025.

All applications are now regarded as late, regardless of the circumstances.

Applications received after the statutory closing date (15 January 2025) for primary school will only be considered after applications received on time have been processed. Late applications will be processed after 16 April 2025.

Late applicants are less likely to get a place at one of their preferred schools for their child as most schools in Birmingham fill to their published admissions numbers with on time applicants that met their admissions criteria.

Late applications - apply online

You must list three different primary schools, in order of preference.

Make sure you have read the admission arrangements fully for the schools you are interested in and know how likely it is that your child will be offered a place there. The admissions arrangements for Birmingham primary schools for entry in September 2025 will be available from 1 October 2024.

It is important to include at least one realistic preference for a school that your child would have met the criteria for in previous years.

If you have included preferences for any schools that require you to submit extra documents, you must submit these directly to the school.

For example, they may need you to:

  • complete a supplementary information form
  • send evidence of social or medical needs

If you do not send the requested information, your child’s application may be assessed by the school under a lower criterion. This could mean that they are not offered a place.

Sibling details

You must include details of any siblings attending your preferred school(s) in the field (box) provided for sibling details.

Sibling details included in the incorrect field (box), will not be counted and may prevent you from gaining a place at your preferred school.

If you fill in the online application incorrectly, you are liable for not completing the form correctly, not School Admissions and Fair Access Service.

Guidance for submitting your online application

Read the guidance below before submitting your online application.

Download our parent’s guide to online applications, change of preferences and password resets.

Late application - apply online

You will receive an email confirmation that you have submitted your application form. Check this to make sure everything is correct.

Be aware that if you change your preferences, you must re-submit your application form. Otherwise, your application will not be processed.

We will take your final submission as the application to process.

Do not use this form if your child has an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP). Information about the secondary transfer process for children with special educational needs is available on Birmingham's SEND Local Offer website.

Late applications

Late applications opened on 16 January 2025.

Applications received after the statutory closing date (15 January 2025) will be classed as late. They will be considered after applications received on time, and will be processed after the 16 April 2025.

Late applications close on 31 July 2025 at 11:59 pm.

If you do not make a late application by 11:59 pm on 31 July 2025, you need to apply directly to your preferred schools using the in-year application form.

Late change of preference

Late changes of preference occur when parents or carers submit an application and later adjust the order of their preferences. This may include any changes made after 15 January 2025.

Late changes of preference will be processed after 16 April 2025.

Late changes of preference are less likely to secure a place at one of your preferred schools, as most schools in Birmingham fill their places with on-time applicants who meet their criteria. When your late application is processed, we will offer you a place at one of your chosen schools if possible. If not, your child will be added to the relevant waiting lists for Birmingham primary schools.

Schools located outside of Birmingham may have different procedures for their waiting lists. Refer to the relevant local authority’s website for further details.

We strongly recommend that you do not refuse the school originally offered to your child. If you decline this place, there is no guarantee of a place at one of your new preferences from the waiting list or through the appeals process, and your child may be without a school place in September.

Important information about changing your preferences

You may have a maximum of three active preferences at a time. If you want to change your preferences, think carefully about your new order of preferences. Include any preferences that you want to keep - which must be included again in the new set of preferences submitted - and remove any you no longer want. 

You will be removed from the waiting lists for any schools that you remove from your new set of preferences. Any appeals you have previously submitted for schools that are no longer on your list of active preferences will also be withdrawn. 

Any offer of a school place that has already been made will not be lost due to a change of preferences unless a new offer for a higher preference is made, due to places being available or due to waiting list movement.

If you update your preferences, remember to re-submit your application form. Without re-submitting, your application will not be processed.

We will consider your final submission as your official application.

You will receive an email confirmation that you have submitted your application form. Check your spam or junk folder. It is important that you check your confirmation email to make sure everything is correct.

Example of late preference change

Archie’s family submitted the following preferences before the deadline:

  1. School A
  2. School B
  3. School C

At National Offer Day on 16 April 2025, Archie is offered a place at School B. He is automatically placed on the waiting list for School A and his family submit an appeal for that school.

Later Archie’s family submit an updated set of preferences which are:

  1. School D
  2. School E
  3. School F

Archie will no longer be on the waiting list for school A, and his appeal will be withdrawn. His offer for a place at School B will remain, unless he is offered a place at School D, E or F.

If Archie’s parents would like to stay on the waiting list for School A and retain their right of appeal for that school, their new set of preferences should be:

  1. School A
  2. School D
  3. School E

Late applications close on 31 July 2025 at 11:59 pm. If you do not make a late application by 11:59 pm on 31 July 2025, you needed to apply directly to your preferred schools using the in-year application form.

Other useful information

Page last updated: 23 January 2025

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