Applying for a School Place
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 |
|---|---|
| 1st September 2005 - 31st August 2006 | September 2010 |
| 1st September 2006 - 31st August 2007 | September 2011 |
| 1st September 2007 - 31st August 2008 | September 2012 |
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 Education 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?
Look out for a letter about applying for a school place which you should receive in August. Brochures and blank applications will be available at infant and primary schools from September, one year before your child is due to start.
What if I don't receive any 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 at 5th Floor, Frobisher House, Nelson Gate, Southampton, SO15 1BZ. Tel: 023 8083 3004. Or email school.admissions@southampton.gov.uk
The Admissions Team also publishes a brochure called Starting School, which is included in the Application Pack. The brochure tells you about how education is organised in the City and how to apply for a place in Reception year. It also gives brief information about each school and the number of children each school can admit.
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?
Starting School brochure 2010-11
Transferring to Junior School brochure 2010-11
Transferring to Secondary School brochure 2010-11
Southampton City Council School Admissions
