How to Apply for a School Place

Read how to apply for a school placement using the Essex School Admissions webpages.

If you have followed the Admissions application process and you have further enquires, these must be made directly with the Admissions Service on telephone number: 0345 603 2200.

When applying you can choose up to four (primary) or six (secondary) schools(mainstream) inside or outside Essex. Each of your preferences will be considered equally and separately. Listing second and lower preferences will not affect your child’s chance of being offered their first preference. It is recommended you use all preferences if possible. A place at a particular school cannot be guaranteed.

School admissions are fully coordinated across the country. This means that if you live in the Essex County Council area, you only need to fill out one application (the CAF), even if some, or all, of your preferred schools are outside Essex.

If you live in the Essex County Council area (which does not include Southend on-Sea and Thurrock) you must apply for your school place through Essex County Council.

You can download the Essex Admissions booklets, policies and forms

You have the right to appeal for any school you named on your application that did not offer a place — even those you listed lower than the school offered. Appeals should usually be made within 20 school days of the refusal.

How to Appeal a school placement

Supplementary Information form (SIF)

Some schools need extra information for the admissions criteria to be looked at fully. This is common for faith (religious) schools. You may need to complete a Supplementary Information form (SIF) as well as your main application to the local authority.

Oversubscription criteria

You should read each school’s oversubscription criteria (the rules used when there are more applications than places). This explains how places are allocated and which children are given priority, such as those living nearby or with siblings already at the school.

For example, if you apply for several schools that are all oversubscribed, you may be offered a place at the nearest school that still has space. It’s often helpful to include at least one realistic choice where your child is more likely to be offered a place.

If you are not offered your preferred school, you have the right to appeal. Details of how to do this will be included in your offer letter.

Each school has a set number of places available each year, called the Published Admission Number (PAN). If more children apply than there are places, the school will use its oversubscription criteria to decide who is offered a place.

If your child is refused a place at a higher‑preference Essex school, they will automatically be added to that school’s waiting list. You can also appeal to an independent panel for any school you applied for but were not offered.

Siblings criteria

If your child already has a sibling at a school, this can sometimes give priority — but it does not guarantee a place. It’s important to check each school’s admissions criteria to understand how sibling priority works.

Mid year applications

If your child is at primary, junior or secondary school and you want to move them to a different school, you need to apply.

Find out from the Essex County Council about Mid Year Application

Funding and SEN Support in Mainstream Schools

All mainstream schools receive delegated funding to support pupils with SEND. Schools are responsible for deciding how this funding is used and for ensuring that reasonable adjustments and SEN Support are provided. Many children’s needs can be met successfully in this way, without an EHCP.

Find out more on SEN Support in Education Settings

Choosing a school can feel like an overwhelming responsibility for parents and carers, particularly when they have a child with SEN and/or disabilities. Gathering information, discussing your thoughts with others and feeling well informed, can help you feel better prepared to make the right decisions for your child.

Read about Choosing a school for a child/young person with SEND

Where an EHC plan is in place

If your child has an Education Health and Care Plan you will need to contact the Essex Send Operations Team. The SEND Operations Team are responsible for all children and young people with an Education, Health & Care Plan.

Our sections on Education, Health & Care Plans provide information on what happens following Annual Reviews and Choosing a school with an EHC Plan and Appealing to the SEND Tribunal Service about an EHCP.

Education Health & Care Plans

My child needs a Special School. What do I need to do?

An Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) must be in place for a special provision to be considered. The first step towards this is applying for an Education, Health and Care Needs Assessment (EHCNA).

If an EHC plan is in place, an Annual Review should be arranged to discuss a change of placement.

Essex Local Offer - Special Schools List

Financial Support

In line with current Government guidance, all children in Key Stage 1 (Reception Year, Year 1 and Year 2) are entitled to receive Universal Infant Free School Meals. Essex County Council does not process Free School Meals applications for children in Key Stage 1. Once your child moves into Key Stage 2 (Year 3 and above) you will need to apply to be assessed for eligibility for free school meals.

Find out more on Eligibility for Free School Meals

For school transport or free school meals enquiries websites: www.essex.gov.uk/schooltransport www.essex.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals email: educationawards@essex.gov.uk.

The Council only considers and provides financial support for school uniforms in very limited, exceptional circumstances for families who receive one of the qualifying benefits.

Find out more on Grants in exceptional circumstances

What is the Fair Access Protocol?

The LA has a Fair Access Protocol to ensure that schools and the local authority work together to ensure that access to education is secured swiftly for children that have no school place.

The aim of the protocol is to encourage close co-operation between schools, when allocating places for pupils who are ‘hard to place’ (for example children with challenging behaviour) that balances the needs of parents, children and schools.

In addition, under the protocol the local authority can, in exceptional cases, approach schools and ask them to admit children over their admission number where, for example, a child has moved into an area and there are no schools within a reasonable distance of the child’s home with a place available.

Children considered for admission under the Fair Access Protocol will take precedence over children on a waiting list who are attending another school. If, having applied for a place, your child is still left with no school place at all please contact Essex Admissions for more advice.

How to Apply for a School Place

IPSEA - Children who do not have a school place

If you are disappointed with your child's school place

Essex Schools Search