Applications for overseas children Click to get info
In most cases, children arriving from overseas have the right to attend schools in England. School admissions will not refuse to admit a child based on their nationality or immigration status nor remove them from roll on this basis. It is the responsibility of parents to check that they have a right of abode and that their children have a right, under any visa entry conditions, to study at a school. Having right of abode means you are allowed to live or work in the UK without any immigration restrictions, which means:
- you will not need a visa to come to the UK
- there is no limit on the length of time you can spend in the country
If you are moving to the UK, you must check that you have a right of abode or that the conditions of your immigration status otherwise permit you to access a state-funded school. You can prove you have right of abode if you have a UK passport describing you as a British citizen or British subject with right of abode. Otherwise you need to apply for a Certificate of Entitlement. For more information please visit the GOV.UK website.
Applications from UK crown servants or military families
As set out in paragraph 2.18 of the School Admissions Code 2014, admission authorities and local authorities must process applications from UK crown servants or UK military families with evidence from their employers or commanding officers that they are returning to the area ahead of any move. We will accept any posting or quartering address as a ‘home’ address in the absence of any actual home address.
Transferring schools for reasons other than a house move Click to get info
It is extremely important that a child has continuity in their education. For this reason, we strongly discourage unnecessary transfers between schools.
If your child is already attending a school, but you feel that a move would be in their best interests, you should discuss your reasons for this with your child’s current school. It is important that you try to resolve any difficulties by working with the school, rather than requesting a transfer.
You will need to provide your reasons for requesting a change of school and set out what you have done to try to resolve the issues with the current school.
If you still want to apply for a school transfer
- please complete the in-year application form.
Transfers from home education or alternative educational provision Click to get info
If your child is being educated at home and you now wish them to be considered for a mainstream school, you should complete the in-year application form.
Children attending alternative education provision who are ready to attend a mainstream school are normally placed through Waltham Forest’s Fair Access Protocol. This ensures that the amount of time any child is out of school is kept to a minimum.
Waiting lists Click to get info
We will write to you with the outcome of your application. If your child is not offered a place at your preferred school you have the option of going on a waiting list. To do this, you must return the reply slip attached to your letter and indicate which schools you'd like to be placed on the waiting list for.
In-year waiting lists are only open for the academic year in which you apply. They close on 30 June. If your child is on a waiting list and has not been offered a place at your preferred school by the end of June, you must reapply from 1 July. This will ensure they are considered for your preferred school in the new academic year. All applications received from 1 July will be considered for the new academic year in September.
Contact Click to get info
School Admission - Postal Address Only
Waltham Forest Town Hall
Forest Road
London
E17 4JF
Telephone: 020 8496 3000
School Admissions - Appointment Service
Sycamore House
Town Hall Campus
Forest Road
Walthamstow
E17 4JF
Please note that due to the Covid-19 pandemic Sycamore House is currently closed. We will keep this page updated to reflect the current situation.