Moving your child between schools during the school year

How to apply for a place at an infant, junior, primary or secondary school in South Gloucestershire during the academic school year

You can change school for your child during the school year, you do not need to wait until the new school year.  To do this you need to complete an application form, called an in-year application form. 

Infant/junior/primary school in 2023-24

You can submit a primary in-year application online by accessing the citizen portal.

Please note that applications cannot be processed more than 4 school weeks before the place is requested (except MOD families who have been posted to this area who may apply 6 weeks before).

If your first preference school is a community or controlled school you should submit your application through the citizen portal, the application is also available to download.

You can choose up to three preferences on the form. If you have chosen to name any voluntary aided (VA) or academy schools that are not part of the in-year co-ordination scheme then these preferences will be forwarded to the appropriate admissions authority by a secure method. A list of the schools who are not part of the co-ordinated in-year admissions scheme, can be found in the documents section of this page.  Please note that Wallscourt Farm Academy and schools in The Leaf trust are part of the co-ordinated scheme.

If your first preference school is part of the co-ordinated scheme, the Admissions and Transport Team will let you know the outcome of your application.  You may also be contacted for evidence of a house move before your application can be processed.

Voluntary aided schools and academies may require you to complete an additional form which you can get from the school, they may also require evidence of a house move. The school or academy trust will let you know the outcome of your application.

If a school cannot offer your child a place they will tell you:

  • the reason they cannot offer a place
  • the appeal process
  • any opportunity to remain on a waiting list for a place. They will also forward your form to the lower preference school for consideration or refer you back to the Admissions and Transport Team.

Secondary school in 2023-24

Secondary school applications must normally be made directly to the school, no matter where you live.  Contact information for all South Gloucestershire secondary schools can be found in the 'Schools not part of the co-ordinated scheme' document on this page.

Academies may require completion of an extra form which you can get from the academy. Proof of your home address may also be required.

You can apply to more than one school and can still apply even if you believe the year group is full.

The school will notify you of the outcome of your application.  If a school cannot offer your child a place they will tell you:

  • the reason they cannot offer a place
  • the appeal process
  • how to remain on the waiting list for a place.    

Further Information

If you have just moved to South Gloucestershire and are having problems finding a primary or secondary school place for your child please contact the Admissions and Transport Team. We can help you find schools with spaces and offer further advice about what to do next.

Email: admissionsandtransport@southglos.gov.uk  

Telephone: 01454 868008