Applying for a School Place in Southampton
If you have a child under 5 years of age you may be wondering how to get them registered for school.
Here in Southampton all four-year olds can begin in a reception class (Year R) in the September of the school year in which they become five. The school year currently runs from 1st September to August 31st, so:
| If your child was born between | They will start school in |
|---|---|
| 1 September 2007 - 31 August 2008 | September 2012 |
| 1 September 2008 - 31 August 2009 | September 2013 |
| 1 September 2009 - 31 August 2010 | September 2014 |
| 1 September 2010 - 31 August 2011 | September 2015 |
Depending when your child's birthday is during the school year depends on how soon they will be in school full time.
The law says that you have the right to express a preference for the school you want your child to go to but this is not a free and open-ended choice. The Local Authority (Southampton City Council) must do everything it can to meet your preference but this must also be within the limits of efficient education and the efficient use of resources.
If you want to find out more about particular schools, each one provides a prospectus or brochure for interested parents. Apart from information about the school such as opening times, school uniform etc, the prospectus will give details of the school's admissions policy and results of the Key Stage 1 tests which pupils take when they are about 7. Children starting school in the City will either attend an infant school, (which takes children aged 4 to 7), or a primary school, which takes children aged from 4 to 11. Children who attend an infant school normally transfer to a junior school at age 7 until they reach 11. Many infant and junior schools share the same site.
How do I apply?
The closing date for reception (primary or infant) and junior places was 15 January 2012.
The closing date for secondary school places was 31 October 2011.
If you missed these closing dates, please contact the Admissions Team. Late applications will be looked at after all on-time applications have been processed.
What if I haven't received information about school admissions?
If you have moved into the area fairly recently, or if your child hasn't attended a local pre-school, you should go to your local school and pick up a pack, or contact the Admissions Team at the City Council. If it gets to mid-September and you haven't had a letter from the Admissions Team, contact them by post at 3rd Floor, Southbrook Rise, 4-8 Millbrook Road East, Southampton, SO15 1YG, telephone 023 8083 3004 or email school.admissions@southampton.gov.uk
What if I don't know where I'll be living in a year's time?
You may be expecting to move to a different part of the city before your child actually starts school. Even if this is the case you should still complete and return the form by the closing date. If you move house at a later date, you may be able to transfer schools, depending on spaces being available but it is important to get your child 'into the system'.
Where can I get more information?
A vast amount of information is available from Southampton City Council's applying for a school place webpages. If you still can't find what you need, contact the School Admissions Team by post at 3rd Floor, Southbrook Rise, 4-8 Millbrook Road East, Southampton, SO15 1YG, telephone 023 8083 3004 or email school.admissions@southampton.gov.uk
