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Primary school places

Primary schools in the city serve children between the ages of 4 and 11 years. In most areas one school will provide for all primary age pupils; in two areas there are separate schools for Infants (aged 4-7) and Juniors (aged 8-11). Some schools also have Nursery Classes, which admit children in the academic year before they are due to commence school.

Coventry children may be admitted to primary schools at the beginning of the school year after their fourth birthday provided they have reached the age of four by the 31 August. However, children must start school at the beginning of the term following their fifth birthday. 

For advice about pre-school or playgroups, see the childcare section of the website.

Latest News

• Parents of children who will be starting school in September 2011 will be able to make applications for Primary School places from September 1st 2010. The admission policies are available to view here. These policies will affect children born between 01/09/2006 and 31/08/2007.

See below for details on how and when to apply.

The Application Process - 2010/11

All applications made have now been processed and places allocated. If you have not made an application, and your child was born between 01/09/05 & 31/08/06, contact the admissions team ASAP on (024) 7683 1622 / 2499.

The Application Process - 2011/12

Deciding which school you would prefer is one of the most important decisions parents and children have to make. We want to make sure that the first step is as smooth as possible for your family. It is important to have all of the information available to enable you, with your child, to take a considered view of the school you would prefer them to attend.

Our admissions policy

We aim to make sure that you have the best chance of securing a place at the school you want. For September 2010, we were able to offer 90.3% of children a place at their first preference school. Many schools, however, receive more applications than there are places available. Coventry therefore has developed a set of criteria (see our Primary Schools Admissions Policy), which help determine how the available places are allocated. These arrangements must be fair and unbiased and follow the requirements of the Government's Code of Practice for Admissions. The council sets the rules for admission for community and voluntary controlled schools, while the governors of voluntary aided schools set specific rules for their schools.

Please Note:

Coventry operates a co-ordinated scheme for secondary admission arrangements. This means that we administer applications for all maintained schools in Coventry, as well as exchanging applications with other local authorities e.g. Solihull and Warwickshire.

Information about applying for a school place

Follow this link to make an online application for a school place for a child who is starting school for the first time. If you need support with this, a User Guide is available. There is also detailed information about the application process in our booklet "Primary Education in Coventry 2011".

The brochure will give you information about applying for a school place and gives details about schools that are available in the city, including:

• admission arrangements for local authority primary schools
• admission arrangements for Catholic primary schools
• admission arrangements for Church of England primary schools
• advice on making an application
• the admissions process timetable (see below)

Common Application Form and supplementary forms

The Common Application Form can be used apply for a place at a local authority community, Catholic or Church of England Primary School within Coventry.

You will also need to complete the supplementary form if you are applying for a place at St. Bartholomew's, St John's or Leigh Church of England schools (including when applying online).

Finding out about schools in Coventry

Further information about each school can be found in its prospectus, which can be obtained either direct from the school or from the Children, Learning and Young People's directorate. Arrangements can be made to visit individual schools by contacting the headteacher. Follow this link to view primary school contact details.

Children are likely to benefit most from their school days if parents and teachers work closely together. You will find that headteachers will be pleased to meet you, so do not hesitate to get in touch with them if you have any queries or matters of concern.

Appeals process

If your application for a school is unsuccessful, you have the right to have your case heard by an Independent Appeals Panel. Follow this link for more information about the appeals process.

If you are in need of more advice or guidance at any time during the process, you can:

• contact the headteacher of your local school;
• call into the Children, Learning and Young People's directorate, which is located in Earl Street, Coventry. The Admissions and Benefits Team are available from 8.30am to 5.00pm (except on Fridays when the offices close at 4.30pm). See contact details below.

You can also use the FAQs (frequently asked questions) on reception admissions to try and answer any queries you may have on this subject.

In-year transfers/New arrivals

The City Council sets the rules for admission for community and voluntary controlled schools and the governors of voluntary aided schools set the rules for their schools. Our brochure Primary Education in Coventry 2010  gives you information about applying for a school place and gives details about schools that are available in the city. Further information about each school can be found in its prospectus, which can be obtained either direct from the school or from the Children, Learning and Young People's directorate. Arrangements can be made to visit individual schools by contacting the headteacher.

Any parents who have queries about in-year transfers should contact the Admissions and Benefits Team directly on 024 7683 1613. From September 2010, the Local Authority will be required to co-ordinate arrangements for in-year transfers; see the policy here

If you are currently living in the UK and would like to apply for a place at a Coventry school, please contact the number above or complete the Primary application form.

If you are currently living abroad but are intending to come to Coventry and need a Primary school place, you will only be able to apply once you have arrived in the country and have a residential address. Once you have arrived contact the Admissions and Benefits Team on 024 7683 1573.

Contact details

Downloadable documents

About PDFs and Accessibility

•  Primary Education in Coventry 2011 Booklet (2321 kb)
•  Applying for a school place user guide (794 kb)