Guide to starting school or moving up to junior school

Last updated: 13 September 2023

What to do if you miss the application deadline

If you have missed the application deadline you’ll need to submit a late application.

Information about deadlines are available on our later allocation rounds page.

If an application is late for the first round of allocations we will not look at it until after all those that we received on time. The application will therefore be ranked at the bottom of each school list. The only exception would be if we received your application by 29 January 2024 and you have included independent professional evidence which we agree shows why you could not apply on time.

For example, you may have been ill for a long time or there may have been a family bereavement, which prevented you from applying by the deadline. Moving into the area is not an exceptional reason for applying late.

See the moving home section if you are a Service or Crown Servant families. If we receive your application and supporting evidence by 9 February 2024 we will treat your application as timely.

Date we receive your application Do you think you have exceptional reasons for your late application? Will your application be treated as on time, and when you will know the outcome
By 15 January 2024 Not applicable Yes - 16 April
By 29 January 2024 Yes - evidence included and agreed Yes - 16 April
By 29 January 2024 Yes - evidence included and not agreed No - 16 April (late applications processed after all on time applications)
By 29 January 2024 No No - 16 April (late applications processed after all on time applications)