It is very important that your application is submitted in time for it to be received by the Council on or before the closing date.

Applications are not treated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, and all applications received during the application period will be treated equally as ‘on time’ applications. Any application submitted after 15 January 2025 will be treated as late unless there are exceptional circumstances.

Applications received after 15 January 2025 but before 9 February 2025 may be treated as on time if there is a good reason for lateness, for example, if family or other circumstances made it impossible for the application to be submitted between 1 September 2024 and 15 January 2025.

A letter setting out the reasons for lateness, with evidence if available, should be submitted with the application form. Each request will be considered individually.

Other late applications received after 15 January 2025 will not be dealt with until after all applications received during the application period have been processed. If the preferred school has vacancies, a place will be offered; if not, the child’s name will be added to the waiting list, and the parents will be advised of their right of appeal. An alternative place will be allocated at a school that is either nearest or within a reasonable travelling distance from the home address.

If parents request to change their preferences after 15 January 2025, this will be administered as a late application unless the change is made before 9 February 2025 and there is a documented change in exceptional family circumstances that makes the change necessary.