Primary School Application Deadline just a Month Away

Wiltshire residents are being reminded that there is just over a month remaining to apply for primary school places for children starting school in September 2026.

The deadline for applications is 15 January 2026.

Applications can be submitted online at https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/article/1698/Applying-for-a-school-place until the national deadline date of 15 January 2026 for both primary schools and infant to junior transfer. Applications can also be submitted using a paper application form which can be obtained from Wiltshire Council's Customer Services Team on 01225 713010.

The National Offer Day for primary and junior school places from applications received before 15 January is 16 April 2026. Online applicants will be sent an email on National Offer Day confirming the outcome of their application. Those who apply using the paper application will be sent a letter confirming the outcome of their application, which will be posted out on National Offer Day.

Cllr Jon Hubbard, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, said: “Starting primary school is an important milestone for every child and family, marking the beginning of their educational journey.

“We want to make this transition as smooth as possible, so we encourage all families with children due to start school in September 2026 to submit their applications as soon as they can.

“The deadline is 15 January, and applying on time gives your child the best chance of securing a place at your preferred school.”

As families look ahead to the next step for their child here are 10 top tips to consider to make the process as swift and easy as possible:

1)      Apply online. You will receive immediate email confirmation that your application has been received and on National Offer Day you will receive an email with the outcome of your application.

2)      Keep your login details in a safe place to log in easily on National Offer Day to enable you to log in and accept or decline the place that is being offered to your child.

3)    The person completing the application must have parental responsibility for the child.

4)    You can apply for up to three schools. Please put these in your order of preference.

5)    Naming additional preferences will not reduce your chances of securing a place for your child at your first preference school. Repeating your first preference school in the second and third preference boxes on the application does not improve your child's chance of securing a place at your preferred school. This will however result in wasting your preferences as a school can only be considered once on each application.

6)    If you live in Wiltshire and want to apply for a school place outside the county, you must still make your application to Wiltshire Council. We pass on your application to the relevant local authority where it will be considered alongside the other applications for that school.

7)    If you do not live in Wiltshire and want to apply for a Wiltshire school, you must make an application to your own local authority. They will then pass on your application details to us. The only exception to this are applications from children of UK Service Personnel.

8)    If you wish to find out more about the schools you are looking at, please contact each school directly.

9)    Although we are not able to guarantee an offer of a school place even if you live in the schools designated area, we recommend you name your designated school as one of your preferences.

10)  Look at the catchment area maps here - https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/schools-learning-forms-guides-policies to find the designated school for your home address.

You can make a late application online even if the deadline for the intake round has already passed, but you are less likely to secure a place at one of your preferred schools.

For more information ,visit https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/schools-learning-admissions-online