Apply online for a school place

For Reception, Year 7 or Year 10* places for September 2023 the online admissions portal will be available with effect from 12 September 2022.

It is very important that you read the appropriate admissions guide before making an application, including considering how your child will travel to their preferred school (s). The 2023 guides will be available on the primary and secondary admission pages from 12 September 2022.

Note that both of these pdf guides include bookmarks enabling you to jump to each section. Although some web browsers include a bookmark option when displaying pdfs, for the best experience we recommend first saving the pdf to your computer and then opening the file in Adobe Acrobat reader. This will enable you to display the bookmarks alongside the document whilst reading.

*refers to admission to schools which have first admission at Year 10 – for example, Digitech Studio School. Bristol Technology and Engineering Academy is now part of Olympus Academy Trust and applications should be made directly to the Trust.  Please note that applications for the following out of county establishments should also be made directly to the school:  SGS Berkeley Green UTC, North Somerset Engineering & Technical College, IKB Academy and Mendip Studio School.

If you are having difficulties with the online application process please contact the Children & Young People Information Service

Email: cis@southglos.gov.uk or telephone 01454 868008.

If you have a question relating to the school admission process please contact the Admissions and Transport Team

Email: admissionsandtransport@southglos.gov.uk or telephone 01454 868008.

Page contents

Admission to primary schools in South Gloucestershire

Selecting the school you would prefer your child to attend is an important decision.

It is very important that you read the appropriate admissions guide before making an application, including considering how your child will travel to their preferred school (s). The information in this booklet is intended to help you in making that decision. 

You can find out more about applying for admission to primary school in our Primary school admissions article.

Admission to secondary schools in South Gloucestershire

Selecting the school you would prefer your child to attend is an important decision.

It is very important that you read the appropriate admissions guide before making an application, including considering how your child will travel to their preferred school (s). The information in this booklet is intended to help you in making that decision. 

You can find out more about applying for admission to secondary school in our Secondary school admissions article.

Register and apply for a school place online

 

Apply online for a school place 

 This online application is only available for one time applications to start primary or secondary school for the first time at the beginning of the academic year i.e. reception class primary or year seven secondary. If you are applying after 31st October 2022 for secondary or 15th January 2023 for primary you will need to download the application form and submit it via email. If you are moving your child between schools during the school year the online application is available all year round.

  • Register your details along with a valid email address
  • If you have previously registered with the online system from July 2016 you can simply log on using your original email address and password
  • Before completing the application check ‘My Details’ to ensure they are correct and up-to-date.
  • Click on the link ‘Apply for a school place’ (only available in September and October for secondary applications and September through to 15th January for reception year applications)
  • The first screen you will see has the option to either login using your existing login details (assuming you have registered after July 2016) or follow the registration link.
  • It is important any email address used to register should be an email address you have access to and will remain so for the foreseeable future.
  • Once you have successfully registered you can enter your login details on the homepage you will see a page called ‘School Places’
  • You can now continue to complete the application form. A guide is available for you.

Help with the online admission form 

Council tax reference number

It is NOT necessary to complete this information. 

Password not accepted

If you are having difficulties getting our system to accept your password and/or email address, please read the following tips before contacting us. Passwords are case sensitive. Also be careful not to confuse for example the figure “1” with a lower case “l”, the figure “0” with the letter “o”. Ensure you provide the same email address that you registered with.

Lost/forgotten password

If you need to retrieve your password, click the link “Forgotten Password” link below the password box on the Admissions Online homepage. You will be asked to enter the email address and mother’s maiden name as entered in your registration. Your password will be emailed to this email address. 

My preferred school is not showing up when I enter the name and click search

Try entering just a few letters of the school name, e.g. han for Hanham Woods Academy, or hel for St Helens and then click the search button. 

Do I need to complete a paper application form as well as the online form?

You should NOT complete a paper form as well. Duplicate forms can cause delays in the application process as additional checks need to be made. Where duplicates are received, the most recently received on time application will be the one processed and any previous applications withdrawn. You may need to complete an additional supplementary form if you apply for a voluntary aided (church) school or foundation school to allow the governors to consider your application in accordance with their admission criteria.

Can I change the details on my application form?

You can edit any of the details on the online application form right up until the closing date for secondary transfer and reception class admissions. If you do this, do not forget to re-submit your form. *(Not available if you are moving your child between schools during the school year) 

I am moving house, what should I do?

The application form should be completed showing the address as at the time of application.

If you move in the time between first completing the form and the closing date, resubmit your application giving the new address.

If you move after the closing date, contact the Admissions and Transport Team at South Gloucestershire in writing giving details of your new address so that we can contact you at the correct address. It is the address of the child as at the closing date that determines the priority given to the application for the first round of allocations.

How will I learn of the outcome of my primary or secondary application?

You will be able to view the outcome of your application by logging on to the website using your password on or after the relevant offer date.

A letter giving further details of the offer of a school place will only be sent to those applicants who have not been offered their highest preference and those applicants who have indicated that they wish to receive their offer by 1st class post on the relevant offer date. We cannot respond to telephone enquiries about the school offered until one week after the offer date.

Please note that you will only be able to view the outcome of your application online if you have applied online. If you apply by paper application form, you will not be able to view information online. (If you are moving your child between schools during the school year you will be contacted by the Admissions and Transport Team with the outcome).

Related advice

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