Apply to start school or transfer to junior, secondary or KS4 school in September 2023


National Offer Day

  • If you submitted an application online by the deadline you will be sent an email by 5pm on National Offer Day.  This will tell you which school your child has been allocated.
  • If you cannot access the email you could try using a different device.  If you applied online you will also be able to log back into Parent Portal to check your allocation.
  • If you applied using a paper application and did not provide an email address we will send you a letter in the post which will arrive after National Offer Day.
Application For applications submitted by National Offer Day
Transfer to Secondary School 31 October 2022 1 March 2023
Starting School 15 January 2023 17 April 2023
Transfer to Junior School 15 January 2023 17 April 2023


For details of how late applications will be handled please refer to the booklet below. 

These application processes are for children currently living in Cornwall who need a school place in Cornwall or in another local authority.

Starting infant/primary school

For children born between 1 September 2018 and 31 August 2019.  Application deadline: 15 January 2023.  You can apply using the Parent Portal:

Apply for a reception place

Transfer to junior school

For children born between 1 September 2015 and 31 August 2016 (attending an infant school in Cornwall).  Application deadline: 15 January 2023.  You can apply using the Parent Portal:

Apply to transfer to junior school

Transfer to secondary school

For children born between 1 September 2011 and 31 August 2012.  Application deadline: 31 October 2022.  For details of how late applications will be handled please refer to the booklet below.   You can apply using the Parent Portal:

Apply to transfer to secondary school

Starting at a university technical college or studio school

To apply for Year 9 at a KS4 school (UTC or studio school) in another county in September 2022, such as Scott College in Plymouth.  Application deadline: 31 October 2022.  There is a separate application form to allow you to make an application for a KS4 school if you live in Cornwall:

Apply for a KS4 school

Further information and help

We have created a booklet with lots of helpful information. This will help you complete an application for a school place in September 2023 in Reception, Year 3 of a Junior School or Year 7.

Applying for a school place for September 2023 booklet

If you still have questions please use the links below for other subjects, or if you need further help please use the contact details below.

Where to get help

School Admissions Team
Email: schooladmissions@cornwall.gov.uk 
Telephone: 0300 1234 101

Family Information Service
You can contact the Family Information Service for help with:

  • completing the application
  • understanding the process
  • other aspects of starting school
  • English as an additional language

Telephone: 0800 587 8191

Applications received after the deadline will be dealt with in ‘round two’ and some schools will already be full.

  Round two (late) deadline Notifications will be sent
Transfer to Secondary School 3 March 2023 By 3 April 2023
Starting School 21 April 2023 By 26 May 2023
Transfer to Junior School 21 April 2023 By 26 May 2023

Please note that parents/carers are responsible for getting their child to and from school. 

However, your child may be entitled to support under Cornwall Council’s Home to School Transport Policy.  

If you are in any doubt as to whether your child would be eligible for home to school transport please contact the Transport Coordination Service (TCS) before naming your preferred school/s. 

Telephone: 0300 1234 222
Email: transporteligibility@cornwall.gov.uk

If your child has an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan you do not need to complete an application form.

Please contact the Statutory SEN Service (01872 324242) for more information.

You can apply for up to three schools.

Before you decide which schools to apply for you could:
• arrange a visit by contacting the school;
• have a look at the school’s website;
• ask for a copy of their prospectus.

You should also…

Read the school’s oversubscription criteria
This will help you understand how places will be allocated.

Find out if your child would be eligible for school transport

Please note that parents/carers are responsible for getting their child to and from school.  However, your child may be entitled to support under Cornwall Council’s Home to School Transport Policy.  

If you are in any doubt as to whether your child would be eligible for home to school transport please contact the Transport Coordination Service (TCS) before naming your preferred school/s. 

Telephone: 0300 1234 222
Email: transporteligibility@cornwall.gov.uk

Name more than one preference including your nearest school/s
If you only put one preference and we cannot offer you that school you might be allocated a school some distance away as other parents/carers who did express additional preferences will take priority for the nearer schools.
Naming more than one preference will not give you any less chance of getting a place at your preferred school.

It is important that you are aware of how applications will be ranked and places allocated at your preferred schools.

Please see the Admission Arrangements page for more information.

Please note, you will need to supply supporting evidence if:

  • you are applying for a place at a faith school and
  • you indicate on your application form that you feel that you should be given priority under that school’s faith criteria/criterion (this is as described in their admission arrangements).

You may need to complete a Supplementary Information Form or provide evidence in another way. Please read the school’s Admission Arrangements

Alternatively, you can contact the school to find out what is required and return any evidence direct to the school.

When applying online you will not be able to make any changes to your preference(s) or details once the application has been submitted.

• For a change of preference, please go to the Change of Preference page.
• For all other changes please contact the School Admissions Team.

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