Before you apply

Choosing schools to apply for

To give your child a better chance of getting a place at a school you prefer you should follow these steps.

1. Make sure you use the right address

   You must use your child's permanent address when applying. We may ask you to send us proof of address.
   

   We do checks and if an application is found to be fraudulent or misleading, we will withdraw the offer of a place, even if a child has started at a school.      

   Examples of a false address

   Your address will be considered false if you:      

   • pretend to live with a relative
     
   • rent a property close to a popular school but live somewhere else
     
   • rent a property close to a popular school when applying and move back home after school starts in September
     

   If you think someone is using a false address on their application email us on SchoolAdmissionFraud@Leeds.gov.uk.      

   Parents who do not live together

   You should use the address of the parent your child lives with most of the time.      

   Both parents must agree on the application and we cannot resolve disputes between parents, only a family court can do this.
   

   If parents do not agree

   If parents do not agree, we will require a written agreement or a family court order telling us what the application should contain.
   
   
   If we do not have an agreement by the deadline, we will offer the child a place after all other applications have been processed. This will be the closest school with a place available to either the parent's address:
   

   • where the child lives most of the time
   • as registered with the child’s GP (if they spend equal time with each parent)
     

   Moving home
   

   You must let us know if you move home after submitting your application and before your child starts at their new school.      

   If you're planning on moving home, you should apply using your current address and update your application as soon as you move.
   

   Moving to Leeds from abroad

   If you live outside the UK and are planning to move to Leeds soon, you can apply for a Leeds school place. You must use your international address until your child has arrived in Leeds.      

   You will not be able to apply online and will need to request a paper application by contacting us.      

   Find out more on school admissions for children who live overseas.      

   As soon as you arrive in Leeds you need to send us proof that you have moved. You should send us:
   

   • house ownership documents or tenancy agreement
   • a travel ticket (for example a flight boarding card) showing your child is in Leeds
     

   Crown servants or members of the armed forces

   Please email us evidence of your role when you apply and we can allocate a place for your child before you move to Leeds.
   

   We accept posting orders with quartering or unit addresses as proof that you are moving.
   

2. Check if you live in a school's catchment area

   Many schools give priority to children who live within their catchment or priority area.
   

   Living in a school's catchment area does not guarantee your child a place at the school, it places your child's application higher up the list of applicants.   
   

   Check your catchment area
3. Find 5 schools to apply for

   You should apply for 5 schools to give your child the best chance of getting a place at a school you want.
   

   You'll need to list schools by preference when you apply. Schools do not know what preference you give them on your application. If a place is available at more than one school, we'll offer you the one highest on your list.
   

   If we cannot offer a place at any schools you apply for, we'll allocate your child a school that has places remaining. The more schools you apply for, the more likely it is your child will get a place at one of your preferred schools.
   

   Find and compare schools on GOV.UK
   

   Use this search tool to find primary and secondary schools. This search tool allows you to:
   

   • search for schools by postcode
     
   • check school Ofsted ratings
     
   • filter schools by religion or school type
     

   Find and compare schools on GOV.UK

   If you need help finding your 5 closest schools, complete our enquiry form.      
4. Check what chance your child has of getting a place

   Each school has its own set of rules that they use to decide which children to offer a place to. This is called their admissions policy.       

   You should read the admissions policy for each of the schools you want to apply for. This will help you to check what chance your child has of getting a place.
   

   Common rules include prioritising children who:
   

   • have an older sibling at the school
     
   • live in the school's catchment area
     
   • are a particular religion (for faith schools)
     
   • are in care of the local authority
     

   Each school lists their rules in order of who gets priority. Children who meet the first priority will get a place before children who meet the second.
   

   Read an example of how an admissions policy works

   Example

   Sam applies to Big town Primary as their first preference school. Sam's child is not offered a place there, even though their home is inside the school’s catchment area.
   

   There were more applications than places so the school used their admissions policy to decide who to give places to. Thirty places were available:
   

   • two places went to children who are fostered (priority 1)
   • twenty places went to children with a brother or sister at the school (priority 2)
   • the remaining eight places went to children who live in the catchment area but live closer to the school than Sam and their child (priority 3)
     

   Instead, Sam was offered a place at their second preference of Small town Primary which had 30 places available:
   

   • five places went to children who have a brother or sister at the school (priority 2)
     
   • 20 places went to children who live inside the catchment area (priority 3)
   • the remaining five places went to children who live near the school but outside the catchment area, including Sam’s child (priority 4)
     

   To see if you are likely to get a place, check which priority your child comes under.
   

   You can also check information about who got a place last year to see whether your child has a good chance of getting in.
   

   Check school admissions information
5. Check how your child will travel to the school

   You should check that your child will be able to get to the schools that you are applying for. Check school transport on Metro.
   

   Children can get help with transport to their nearest qualifying school, if it’s over the walking distance set out by the law.
   

   Find out if your child is eligible for travel support.      

6. Attend school open days or evenings

   Open days or evenings give you the opportunity to visit a school to decide whether it's right for your child. You'll be able to speak to teachers and ask any questions you might have.      

   Most secondary schools run open days and evenings in September and October. Primary schools may run them from September to December.      

   Please contact the schools you are applying for to see if they are holding an open evening. You may be required to book.

   More information will be on each school's website which can be found by using our 'Check a school's admissions details' tool.      

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