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Primary school admissions - September 2026

In this section

1Primary school admissions - September 2026
2Circumstances that may affect primary school applications
3How to research Peterborough primary schools
4How we allocate primary school places
5Apply for a primary school place
6Receiving an offer of a primary school place
On this page

Primary school applications for September 2026

The process for applying for a primary school place for September 2026 will launch on 12 September 2025.

The six webpages in this section explain the primary school admissions process from start to finish. This information is designed to help you choose a school for your child and make an application. Please read it carefully before applying so you understand what is involved in the process.

Overview of the typical steps to applying for a school place

  • You undertake research into local schools
  • You choose your top three preferred schools
  • You apply for a school place
  • The relevant council processes your application (see below for which council)
  • You receive a school place offer
  • You decide whether to accept or decline the offer

Who co-ordinates school admissions in Peterborough

Peterborough City Council is the local education authority for Peterborough. We are responsible for co-ordinating the admissions arrangements for schools in the city. You apply to us, we process the applications, liaise with the schools and send you your school place offer.

Which council you apply to depends on where you live

  • If you are a Peterborough resident and wish to apply for a place at a Peterborough school – apply to Peterborough City Council

  • If you are a Peterborough resident and wish to apply for a place at a school in another council area – apply to Peterborough City Council as you are a Peterborough resident, and we will share your application with the relevant council

  • If you live outside of Peterborough and wish to apply for a place at a Peterborough school – apply to the council for the area where you live – they will then share your application with us at Peterborough City Council

  • If you live overseas, but are moving to Peterborough and wish to apply for a place at a Peterborough school – apply to Peterborough City Council

Check who your local council is on the GOV.UK website.

Please note we do not co-ordinate admissions for private / independent / fee-paying schools. You must contact them directly to apply for a place.

When you can apply - key dates in the school admissions cycle

Applications for primary school places launch on 12 September 2025.

The deadline to apply is 15 January 2026.

We will send you your child’s school place offer on 16 April 2026.

If your application is late, your child is less likely to receive a place at their preferred school.

Who can apply for a primary school place

You can apply for a:

  • Reception place for September 2026 for a child born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022

  • Year 3 place at a junior school for September 2026 for a child born between 1 September 2018 and 31 August 2019, who is currently in Year 2 at an infant school

You will need to make an in-year application if:

  • Your child is currently in Year 2 at an infant school, and you wish them to attend Year 3 at a primary school instead of a junior school
  • Your child is already attending primary school, and you want to move them to a different school

When your child starts attending school

Children start school in September of the school year in which they become 5 years of age. This means most children are 4 years old when they start school.

For entry in September 2026, children born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022 are eligible to start school in September 2026.

Children reach statutory school age on the prescribed date following their fifth birthday. The prescribed days are:

  • 31 August
  • 31 December
  • 31 March

Statutory school age means the age when a parent is legally required to make sure that their child attends school (or is educated other than at school).

All children are allowed to start full-time in September. However, you can defer their start at school until they reach compulsory school age (or until the start of the summer term if this is earlier).

Child's birthday between 1 September and 31 December - autumn term

Your child can attend Reception full-time or part-time from September. You can delay admission until the beginning of January. Your child must attend school full-time from the beginning of January when they reach compulsory school age.

Child's birthday between 1 January to 31 March - spring term

Your child can attend Reception full-time or part-time from September. You can delay admission until the beginning of January or until after Easter. Your child must attend school full-time from the beginning of summer-term when they reach compulsory school age.

Child's birthday between 1 April and 31 August - summer term

Your child can attend Reception full-time or part-time from September. You can delay admission until the beginning of January or until after Easter.

You can also choose not to send your child to school until the September following their fifth birthday. You will then need to apply for a place to start in Year for September 2026 by following our in-year process.

If you choose to delay entry to September 2027, you may not be able to get your child into your preferred school. They may not have a place available. You may have to apply for a different school.

In exceptional circumstances, parents may request their child starts in Reception in the September after their fifth birthday. This means the child would start one academic year later and one year group behind children of their normal age group.

You will need to put your request in writing to the School Admissions Team to apply. Please provide the reason for your request and any supporting evidence for your case.

We consider requests for admission out of the normal age group alongside other applications made at the same time. An application for a child who would ‘normally’ be a Year 1 child for a Reception place will be considered alongside applications for Reception.

There is no statutory right of appeal if your request is not agreed.

For further information, please visit our accelerations, delays and deferrals page.

Contact us by emailing admissions@peterborough.gov.uk.

Last updated: 10 September 2025