How to apply for a school place

The information on this page will explain how to apply for a Reception place in 2025 for children born between 1 September 2020 and 31 August 2021.

Please read all the information before applying

Important dates

The application process to apply on time starts on 1 September 2024.

The National closing date for making your application on time is 15 January 2025.

16 April 2025 – result emailed by 5pm or details available in your online account.

18 April 2025 - Parents who submitted a paper application will receive the result by letter.

Late applications received after 15 January 2025 will be considered in the second allocation round in May 2025.

Please Access the Coventry Education Services Portal to make your On time application before 15 January 2025.

We recommend parents to apply online as:

• it is quick, easy to use and secure
• you receive an email confirmation once you submit your application
• there is no risk of your application getting lost in the post
• you can check and change your application up to the closing date. However, please make sure that you resubmit if you view or change it
• it saves time, paper and postage
• you will receive an email on the 16 April 2025 confirming the school allocated
• you can log into your account on 16 April 2025 to find out the result

If you do not have the internet at home please check with your child’s nursery or with libraries and schools for support in completing your online application. Please use #CovConnects to find more information about access to free digital support in your area.

If you are unable to make an online application, contact your local primary school for a paper application form or email primaryadmissions@coventry.gov.uk.

Things to think about when making your application

We strongly recommend you include three choices of schools on your application; one being your catchment area school. There is no advantage in listing fewer than three schools or including the same school more than once; in fact, by not including 3 realistic choices, it could result in your child being allocated a school some distance away.

Increase your chances of getting the school you want

A copy of the primary school admissions booklet is on our website at Primary and Secondary school admissions booklets. Please consider each school’s specific admissions arrangements carefully when making your application.

• Look at the oversubscription criteria in the policy to work out which priority would be given to your application.
• Check how places have been allocated in the last 2 years
• Check your distance from the school. The Admissions team can confirm this for you, please email: primaryadmissions@coventry.gov.uk stating ‘distance query’ in the subject box.
• Compare your priority and distance with how places have been offered in previous years to get an indication of how successful your application might be.

Applying for a Faith School

You will need to complete the supplementary form if you are applying for a place at faith schools: Seva, or Leigh Church of England schools (including when applying online).

If you have included a Catholic Primary School as a preference; you must indicate on your application whether your child is a Baptised Catholic. You must also forward a copy of your child’s certificate to each of the Catholic Schools you have requested by the 15 January 2025. Failure to do so could result in your child not being considered under the appropriate admissions criteria

Multiple applications (twins/triplets)

If you need to apply for more than one child you should complete and submit separate applications for each child.

Key facts about the application process

• The application process starts from September 2024.
• You must make your application before the closing date of 15 January 2025.
• Coventry residents can apply for schools in other Local Authorities e.g. Warwickshire or Solihull, you only have to complete a Coventry application form and indicate the school you want on this form.
• Parents must apply for a school place through their Local Authority (the city where you live/pay council tax too).
• Even if you already have an older child at the school you must apply for your younger child.
• If your child attends a school nursery you still need to ensure you submit an application before the closing date. Attendance at the Nursery does not give you any higher priority for admission.
• If your child is currently in a separate infant school, you will need to apply for a place at a junior school for Year 3.
• You should list three schools in order of preference. There is no advantage in listing fewer than three schools or including the same school more than once; in fact, by not including three realistic preferences, it could result in your child being allocated a school some distance away.
• If you live within a school catchment area you have more chance of your child being offered a place at that school. However, living within the catchment area does not guarantee a place at that school as there may be more applicants than available places to allocate. Information regarding the catchment area for your address.

Please remember to include your child’s full name, and date of birth, if you write to us or if you submit information to support an online application. You will need to remember your login details on offer day. Make a careful note of them, noting exactly how you entered them. e.g. if you used capital or lower case letters.

A copy of the primary school admissions booklet is on our website. Many of the schools have specific admission arrangements and it is important that you consider these carefully when making your application. The booklet also has links to each primary school website

Please note:

• For September 2025 a number of schools have consulted and agreed on changes to their admissions criteria. Therefore, please look at the admissions policy for each school.

If you are confused about the process please do not just take advice from family/friends, call the school admissions team on 024 7697 5445 who are there to provide you with their expertise and knowledge

If you need help with translating this information, please ring the Access to Education Service on 024 7697 8944.

Further information on the application process and timeline.