Admission of children outside of their normal year group

Parents may seek a place for their child outside of their normal year group, if for example, the child is considered gifted and talented, or has experienced problems such as ill health.

The admission authority of a school must decide whether the individual child’s circumstances make this appropriate on educational grounds. The admissions authority’s decisions on a parent’s request for delayed entry to reception must:

  • Take account of the child’s individual needs and abilities and consider if these can be best met in reception or year one.
  • Consider if it is in the child’s best interest to miss the reception year and go straight to year one.
  • Consider what would be the impact of a child being admitted to year one without having completed the reception year.

Summer born children

Parents of a summer born child may choose not to send their child to school until the September following their fifth birthday. They may request the child is admitted to reception, rather than year one.

See the guidance on the Gov.uk website: Summer born children, starting school: advice for parents.

Children with a development delay

It may be better for a child with a developmental delay to start school before compulsory school age so they can fully assess the support available. Schools are trained to teach children with SEN and parents should be encouraged to meet with the school’s SENCO to discuss their child’s needs.

Apply for a place outside of the normal year group

We recommend that you contact the schools you are interested in before submitting this form. The school will be able to address any concerns you have regarding your child’s transition from a nursery school to a reception class.

This form is for applications to community infant and primary schools only. If you are not applying for a place at a community infant or primary school, you will need to contact the relevant school directly. 

Apply now

Parents requesting admission to a year group below the normal year of entry should also submit an application for the child’s actual year group before the closing date.  The request for admission to a different year group should accompany the application.  This enables the application to be processed and a school place secured in the child’s actual year group if the request is refused by an admission authority.

If the request is approved

If approved the parent will be advised to re-apply in the following year and provide a copy of the decision.  There is no guarantee of a place being available at your preference schools.  Your application will not be prioritised over any other applicant for this year group. It will be considered in line with the admission criteria for each school, along with all other applicants for the year group you are applying.

Right of appeal

There is a right of appeal against the refusal of a place at a school.  This right of appeal does not apply if parents are offered a place in another year group at the school.  We will make a decision based on the circumstances of each case and may request supporting professional evidence to assist in the decision making.