These application processes are for children 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 2020 and 31 August 2021. Application deadline: 15 January 2025.
Apply for a place in a reception class
Transfer to junior school
For children born between 1 September 2017 and 31 August 2018 (attending an infant school in Cornwall). Application deadline: 15 January 2025.
Apply for a place in Year 3 in a junior school
Transfer to secondary school
For children born between 1 September 2013 and 31 August 2014. Application deadline: 31 October 2024.
Apply for a place in Year 7 in a 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 2025, such as Scott College in Plymouth. Application deadline: 31 October 2024.
Please contact us for a copy of the application form for a KS4 school by emailing schooladmissions@cornwall.gov.uk
Further information
We have created a booklet with lots of helpful information. This will help you complete an application for a school place in September 2025 in Reception, Year 3 of a Junior School or Year 7.
Applying for a school place for September 2025 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
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 have difficulties opening the PDF document on your mobile phone or tablet, this may be due to the app you are using to open the letter (the default app on Samsung devices is not compatible). You can download a compatible app such as Google Drive or Adobe Acrobat, or alternatively, attempt to download and open the PDF on a different device.
- If you do not receive your email by 5pm please check your spam folder.
- 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 2024 |
3 March 2025 |
Starting School |
15 January 2025 |
16 April 2025 |
Transfer to Junior School |
15 January 2025 |
16 April 2025 |
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 | 7 March 2025 | By 4 April 2025 |
Starting School | 18 April 2025 | By 23 May 2025 |
Transfer to Junior School | 18 April 2025 | By 23 May 2025 |
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.
Email: studenttravel@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.
Email: studenttravel@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.