Researching primary schools
Last updated: 2 September 2024
Next review: 8 April 2025
Before you apply, you can research the local primary schools to help you decide which schools to put down as your preferences. You can choose up to six preferences and we encourage you to put as many preferences as possible. If you only put one or two preferences and your child is not offered a place at either school, we will have to offer your child an alternative school. The alternative school will be the nearest school with a vacancy and may not be close to your home address.
To find out more about schools, you can:
- Go to school open days
- Visit school websites where you will find out lots of information about the school
- Look at the latest Ofsted reports and school performance tables
Every year when places are allocated to schools, there are schools which are full and therefore have cut-off distances. This can change every year based on how many applications are received for each school. Be realistic when choosing your six preferences and always read the school’s admission arrangements.
The following document shows how places were offered on National Offer Day for children who started reception in September 2024. This will give you an idea of how we allocate places, but please remember that this changes every year: