Most schools hold waiting lists for all year groups.
Children can only be added to a waiting list in the following circumstances:
- where you have applied for and you were refused a place; and
- where the school holds a list.
Your child will be automatically added to the waiting list for any school where they have been refused a place, if a list is held. You will be sent a letter confirming that your child has been added to the list. You will need to let the School Admissions Team know if you do not want your child to remain on the list by emailing schooladmissions@cornwall.gov.uk
Please note: waiting lists close at the end of the academic year. To be considered for a place in the next academic year you will need to submit a new school place application through the Parent Portal. You can do this up to eight school weeks ahead of the new academic year.
From 1 September 2023, children will be automatically added to the waiting list for schools where they have been refused a place, if a list is held.
If you were refused a place before this date and you have a letter asking you to let us know that you want your child to be added to the waiting list, please email schooladmissions@cornwall.gov.uk to request this.
How waiting lists operate
Where a school holds a waiting list, the follow terms and conditions apply:
- Waiting lists are based on the school’s oversubscription criteria. This is the list that is used to decide the order of priority.
- Children’s places on a waiting list are subject to change. A child's position may change if
- extra information is received about applications; or
- other children are added to the list.
- No priority is given to the length of time that a child has been on the list.
- The following children have priority over children on a waiting list:
- Children in care and those that were previously in care
- Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan
- Children allocated to a school under the Fair Access Protocol
- Children admitted after a successful admission appeal.
- A child that is at the top of the waiting list will not necessarily be eligible for a place when a child leaves that year group. If the school is already over its admission number then a place will only become available when the year group falls below this number.
- Please note: waiting lists close at the end of the academic year. To be considered for a place in the next academic year you will need to submit a new school place application through the Parent Portal. You can do this up to eight school weeks ahead of the new academic year.
