How can a child enter an English state school after moving during the school year?

Katerina Galkina · EN · 07/10/2026

For a move during the school year, look for in-year admissions. This differs from the annual Reception or Year 7 application round. Start with your council's school admissions team: it will explain which applications the council handles and which go directly to a school. GOV.UK: applying after the school year starts ↗.

Contact the council before moving

Give your child's date of birth, planned arrival date, address and current class. If applying from abroad, contact the council where you intend to live. Ask whether a rental agreement or other evidence of the planned move is accepted and when the final address must be confirmed. Missing the main annual deadline does not mean waiting until next September. GOV.UK: moving to another area ↗.

Prepare documents without unnecessary expense

Obtain the actual checklist from the council's or school's official website. Prepare evidence of birth date and address, parental contact information, previous school details and information about additional needs. Translated school reports can help staff understand previous learning, but check whether certification is required before paying for it.

Tell the admissions team separately about an EHCP or existing support. Do not assume a class attended overseas automatically maps to the same English Year group: ask for placement and its basis to be confirmed.

Apply formally and track the response

A telephone discussion about vacancies is not an application. Keep the submission date and reference. For ordinary in-year applications, the admission authority must provide a written outcome within 15 school days and should aim for 10; grammar-school ability assessments have a specific alternative rule. Once an offered place is accepted, the child should start as soon as possible. DfE: School Admissions Code, paragraphs 2.30–2.31 ↗.

If refused, ask for the written decision and appeal information. Ask the council where a place is available rather than waiting for one preferred school without an education plan. You can also discuss joining waiting lists. GOV.UK: waiting lists ↗.

Prepare for the first day and practical costs

Ask about uniform, meals, the journey, a meeting with the teacher and English-language support. State-school places are free; uniform, transport and optional activities have separate costs. Do not pay an intermediary promising a guaranteed state-school place. GOV.UK: types of school ↗.

Prepare a short note for the teacher covering your child's languages, stronger subjects, relevant medical information and a parent contact. This procedure covers England; use the separate admissions systems elsewhere in the UK. Checked on 7 October 2026.