Starting School

Most children start school in the September after their 4th birthday.

They must be in full-time education by the term after they turn 5 (known as compulsory school age).

Reception Applications

• Apply online from 1 November 2025 at: Stoke Admissions Portal
• Deadline: 15 January 2026
• Outcome emails sent: 16 April 2026 

Click here to apply for a primary school place

You can choose up to five schools. Listing only one does not improve your chances and may result in a place further from home.

If applying to a faith school, send any required documents (e.g. baptism certificate) directly to the school.

Before deciding your choice of primary school, find out more about the four types of schools across Stoke-on-Trent.

Community Schools – These are run by us which means we employ the staff, own the land and buildings and decide which admissions criteria will be used to allocate places if the school has more applicants than places.

Voluntary Aided Schools – These are usually faith-based, and the governing body employs the staff, sets the admissions criteria and helps fund building costs.

Voluntary Controlled Schools - Similar to Voluntary Aided but run by us. Buildings are usually owned by a charity or religious group.

Academies - State-funded but independently run. They set their own admissions policies, and a trust is responsible for running the academy.

To make sure you have selected the right school, you may want to do research particular schools.

Make sure that you:

• Visit the school
• Read the school prospectuses on school’s website
• Read the admissions criteria You can express a preference for up to five schools.

Preferences are considered equally, and your child will be offered the highest-ranked school available.

If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan, they must be offered a place at the school named in the plan.

Only someone with parental responsibility can apply. If your family situation changes, please inform the school.

Looking for a school close to home?

Use our School Finder Tool to search for schools in your area by postcode, address, or school name.

You can view nearby primary, secondary, and special schools.

Start your search now and find the best fit for your child’s education. 

Click here to see our school directory

We manage applications for all local schools, including academies and faith schools.

You must apply through the council, even for schools outside the city.

Each school has a set number of places. If more children apply than there are places, admissions criteria will be used to decide who gets in.

Click here to read our Coordinated Admissions Scheme

Moving between schools with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

If your child has an Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP) and is due to move to a new stage of education — for example, from primary to secondary school — an annual review meeting will take place in the summer term of the year before the transfer. This meeting ensures that planning and support are in place for a smooth transition.

During this review, you’ll have the opportunity to express a preference for the school you’d like your child to attend.

Your chosen school will be considered if:

• It’s suitable for your child’s age, ability, and special educational needs.
• Their attendance won’t negatively affect the education of other pupils.
• The placement is a good use of the Local Authority’s resources.

If your child has progressed well in a mainstream primary school, it’s generally expected they will continue to do so in a mainstream secondary school.

Once a school is agreed upon, your child’s EHCP will be updated to name the new school.

Our approach to SEND

Our SEN Policy and Inclusion Strategy outlines the principles and priorities that guide our support for children and young people with special educational needs.

Click here to read our SEND Strategy

Need help or have questions?

The SEN Monitoring and Assessment Service (SENMAS) manages the transfer process for children with EHCPs. If you have any questions, please contact the SENMAS Duty Line on 01782 231863.

We take the accuracy of school applications seriously.

If a place is offered based on a fraudulent or intentionally misleading application, it could unfairly prevent another child with a stronger claim from receiving a place. In such cases, the offer will be withdrawn.

This includes situations where the address provided on the application form is not the child’s actual home address.

If an offer is withdrawn due to misleading information:

• The application will be reassessed using accurate details.
• You will be given the Right of Appeal.

We are committed to ensuring fairness for all applicants. Please make sure all information provided is truthful and up to date.