Primary school admissions - Print version

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 one area there is a separate school 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 start 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.

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. Many schools, however, receive more applications than there are places available.

We have developed a set of admissions policies, which help determine how the available places are allocated. These arrangements must be fair and unbiased and follow the requirements of the Government's School Admissions Code [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/school-admissions-code--2]. The council sets the rules for admission for community and voluntary controlled schools, while the governors of Academy and voluntary aided schools set specific rules for their schools. 

• Download booklets [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/243/in-year-primarysecondary-school-admissions-booklets]
• Supplementary forms [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/244/september-2022---primaryjunior-application-form-supplementary-forms-and-booklets] 
• Find school admission policies [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/schooladmissionspolicies]

You can also read the Privacy Statement for Admissions. [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/admissionsprivacynotice]

Advice about pre-school or playgroups [/earlyyearschildcare].

Starting Primary school in September 2024

Children born between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2020

The application process to apply on time started on 1 September 2023. 

The closing date for making your application on time was 15 January 2024.  All applications received after this date will not be considered until after the offer date of 16 April 2024.

You will need to complete the supplementary form [/downloads/download/244/primary_admission_forms_september_2011] if you are applying for a place at faith schools: Seva, or Leigh Church of England schools (including when applying online).

Late applications will be considered in the second allocation round in May 2024. 

Make a late application [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/primaryschoollateapplication2024]

To check the result of your child's school place - On time applications only

Access the Coventry Education Services  [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/schoolplaces]Portal to check the outcome of your On time application from 16 April 2024. 

Dates for applications and appeals

Date	What's happening
1 September 2023	Parents can make applications
15 January 2024	Closing date for applications and final date for any changes to addresses
16 April 2024	National Offer Day  Letters posted by second class delivery to inform parents of allocated school. E-mails sent to online applicants
May - August 2024	Allocation of places from waiting lists and any late applications
May - July 2024	Appeals heard

Finding out about schools in Coventry

Further information about each school can be found in the Primary booklet [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/243/in-year-primarysecondary-school-admissions-booklets]2024 [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/file/38972/primary-admissions-booklet-2023] or the individual school prospectuses. Arrangements can be made to visit individual schools by contacting the headteacher.

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 contact them [/schoolcontactdetails] if you have any queries or matters of concern.

Online applications (Open 1 September - 15 January)

• Guide on how to apply for a school place [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/file/25030/school_admissions_online_user_guide]
• Download booklets [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/243/in-year-primarysecondary-school-admissions-booklets]
• Supplementary forms [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/244/september-2022---primaryjunior-application-form-supplementary-forms-and-booklets] 

We recommend parents apply online as:

• it is quick, easy to use and secure
• you receive an email confirmation once you submit your application
• there is no risk of your application getting lost in the post
• you can check and change your application up to the closing date. However, please make sure that you resubmit if you view or change it
• it saves time, paper and postage
• you will receive an email on the relevant offer day confirming the school allocated rather than waiting for several days for the post
• you can log into your account on offer day to find out the result

If users have not received any emails, please ensure you check your junk mail folder as the email could be in there. Your junk folder could be called 'junk', 'trash' or 'spam'.

If you use mail programs like Outlook to download your emails from providers such as Sky, Virgin Media or NTL World then such mail programs may not download emails in your junk folder. In such cases you will need to do the following:

1. Open your web browser (e.g. Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox or Safari) and navigate to the website of your email provider e.g. www.sky.com
2. Log into your email account
3. Search for the email in your junk, trash or spam folders.

Once the email has been found, open the email and mark it as 'not spam' so that in future the emails come into your inbox.

Please ensure you make a note of your log-in details, as if for any reason you do not receive your offer email, you will be able to access your account.

Questions and answers - starting Primary School

When can my child start school?

In Coventry, children start infant and primary school the September following their fourth birthday. The law says all children must start school at the beginning of the term following their fifth birthday. If a child attends an infant school, they will transfer to a junior/primary school in the September following their seventh birthday.

What if I feel that my child is not ready to start school in September 2023?

Some parents do feel that their child is young for their age, or there may be other reasons for wanting to delay entry to school. In these cases you may be able to defer your child's entry or a child can attend part-time until the child reaches compulsory school age.

This should be discussed with the head teacher of your preferred school before submitting your application. Children must, by law, start school full time by the beginning of the term after their fifth birthday.

Where a parent of a summer born child wishes to defer entry until the following academic year, and wishes their child to start in reception this will mean the child would be taught out of their normal age group.

If you want to request a place in reception from September 2024 for a child who should be starting in reception in September 2023, please contact primaryadmissions@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:primaryadmissions@coventry.gov.uk] and we will contact you to give further advice.

I am not sure which school I want my child to attend and would like to visit the school before making my choice.

You should contact the school you are interested in and see if they can arrange a date and time for you to visit or visit the school's website for information.

How do I apply?

Via the Coventry Education Services Portal. [https://emsonline.lea.coventry.sch.uk/CitizenPortal_LIVE/en] When you submit your application you will receive an acknowledgement email. Supplementary forms for Leigh and Seva School can also be downloaded, but must be returned direct to the school in the paper format. Advice is available from Admissions staff in making your application especially for late applicants on those schools which still have places available.

I need to apply for a place for more than one child

You should complete a separate application for each of your children. You will then receive a separate acknowledgement for each submitted application. If you do not receive an acknowledgement for each child you must contact Admissions staff.

Can I write to support my application?

Yes. You have the legal right to explain your reasons for wanting a particular school, including philosophical or religious reasons. However, these reasons will only be taken into account if they are directly linked to the admissions criteria for the schools you have listed on your application.

What address should I use on my application form?

You should use your current permanent address where you are living at the time you fill in the application, and include the Council Tax Customer Reference Number for that address. Please make sure that the address and postcode you give us are correct because we may use them to see whether you qualify under a particular admission criterion. We regularly check addresses, including visits from the Children and Family Support Workers, and if details are not correct we will withdraw the offer of a school place. For example, it is not valid to state the address of a childminder, grandparent or any other relation.

A pupil's home address is considered to be a residential property that is the child's only or main residence. At the time places are allocated, proof of permanent residence at the property concerned may be required. Where documentary evidence can substantiate to the satisfaction of the Local Authority that care is split equally between parents at two homes, please check the policies of the schools you are applying for to check how your address will be determined.

If I register my child at a school, does this guarantee them a place there?

No. You will only be considered for a place at a primary, infant or junior school if you submit an application at www.coventry.gov.uk/schooladmissions and request that school on the form.

If my child currently attends a nursery class in one of my preferred schools, will they be guaranteed a place in the reception class?

No, the nursery your child attends does not affect the application you make for reception class. The law does not allow for this as some parents/carers decide not to send their children to nursery but are entitled to the same chance of sending them to a primary school that they want. Also the policy of the city council is for nursery classes to service a wider area than a single school's catchment area. This means that the number of places in the nursery class is often greater than the number of places in the reception class in the same school. Your application will be considered in the same way as those for children who do not attend the nursery, and it is vital that you make a new application to apply for a reception place at the school of your choice.

I want to apply for a place at a Faith School. Do I have to fill out different forms?

Leigh and Seva School have an extra supplementary form for parents to complete if you want to receive higher priority on the basis of your faith. Further details about their admissions policies [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/schoolcontactdetails].

I want to apply for a place at a Catholic School. Do I need to attach any extra information?

Yes. If you apply to a Catholic school and your child is a baptised Catholic then you can receive a higher priority on the basis of your faith if you provide a copy of your child's Baptism certificate or a letter from your Minister confirming your child's Baptism directly to the school you are requesting. You must also tick the box on the online or paper application form if your child is a Catholic and include details of where and when your child was baptised.

Further details about the Catholic School's admissions policies are listed by school [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/schoolcontactdetails].

I know which school I want my child to go to. Why should I request other schools?

If you only list one school you cannot be certain that your child will be offered a place there, and if you are unsuccessful we then allocate the nearest school with a place available. This may not be your catchment area school. If other local schools have more applicants than they have places, you run the risk of being allocated a school some distance away. You are strongly recommended therefore to use all your preferences and to include your catchment area school; doing so does not reduce your chance of getting your first preference school.

How can I find out more about a particular primary, infant or junior school?

You will find some basic information in the Primary Admissions booklet. You can also ask to visit the school and talk to the head teacher. Details of OfSTED inspections [http://www.ofsted.gov.uk/].

Details of schools in Coventry [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/schoolcontactdetails].

I need a school with before and after school care. How do I know which schools provide this?

To find out whether schools provide breakfast clubs, after school clubs or other services, contact the schools directly. You can find contact details in the individual school pages in Section 2 of the Primary Admissions booklet. Alternatively you can contact the Family Information Service on email: coventrycis@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:coventrycis@coventry.gov.uk] or find further information on the Family Information Directory [https://cid.coventry.gov.uk/kb5/coventry/directory/family.page?familychannel=0].

How do I find out how far away I live from my preferred school and which is my catchment area school?

Information regarding catchment areas (which is not always your nearest school) [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/catchmentareas]. If you require details about the distance from your address to a school please email primaryadmissions@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:primaryadmissions@coventry.gov.uk]

How can I find out which secondary school a primary school feeds into?

There is a feeder school link between the Catholic primary schools and the Catholic secondary schools in the city. Seva School and Sidney Stringer Primary Academy also have a link to their respective secondary schools giving priority for admission. You can find out more about which schools are linked by checking the individual schools' details in the Primary booklet or by checking the admissions policies for the schools [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/schoolcontactdetails].

For other Academies, the places at secondary schools are not determined in any way by which primary school a child attends.

What if I do not live in Coventry but want my child to go to a Coventry school?

We treat all applications equally, no matter where you live. However, you must complete an application to the Local Authority you pay your Council Tax to. Your Local Authority will then contact Coventry who will in turn inform them if they are able to meet your request. However if you do not qualify for a Coventry school, your Local Authority will be responsible for making sure your child has a school place. Please make sure you read the admissions policies of Coventry schools many have policies which include priorities based on catchment areas and distance.

I live in Coventry. Can I apply for a place at a primary school in another Local Authority area?

Yes. If you are a Coventry resident you can apply for a school place in another authority by completing Coventry's application and including preferences for schools outside the city. However, if your 3 preferences of schools are all outside Coventry we would strongly advise that you include a Coventry school in your local area or your catchment area school as at least one of these preferences. This will give you a higher chance of receiving a suitable school place offer.

What can I do if I don't get the places I want?

Your allocation letter will explain the reasons why it was not possible to offer you a place at your preferred school and the process for appealing against this decision. Your child's name will also be included on a waiting list(s), which means that we will consider your child for any places that become available but there is no guarantee that a place will become available or that you will get one if it does You can decide to accept our offer of a place at another school and still go on a waiting list for any school you have received a refusal for.

For all schools, places will be offered by applying the admissions criteria to everyone on the waiting list. For the September 2022 admissions process in Coventry, oversubscribed schools on average offered 2 places to those on waiting lists.

You have the right to appeal against all refusals in regards to primary school admissions. This means that you have a chance to put your case to an independent appeal panel made up of people who have had no connection at all with the original decision. Going through the appeals process does not guarantee you a place at the school you are appealing for and does not affect your position on any waiting lists for other schools.

How do I get onto the waiting list for a school?

If you are not offered a place at a school you placed as a higher preference to one you have been allocated, then you will automatically be placed on a waiting list for that school/those schools. This will continue until a place can be offered to you, or until the end of the December 2023. After this date parents will be required to submit a transfer application form to register their renewed interest in the preferred school otherwise you will be deemed to have withdrawn your interest and removed
from the waiting list.

Can I find out where I am on the waiting list for a particular school?

Admissions staff will be able to inform you of the position you hold on the list. It is important to remember that you can move up or down this list depending on whether other children come onto or go off the list. For this reason we can only guarantee the position of your child on the list on the date of communication.

How do I find out if I am eligible for help with transport?

The Local Authority can offer assistance for travelling to school, but only for those fitting the qualifying distance and other entitlement criteria. Pupils applying for assistance with travel must live within the Coventry boundary and be of statutory school age i.e. 5-16 years of age. Pupils may be eligible for free travel if the distance from their home address to their nearest primary school at which places are available is in excess of two miles in the case of a child aged 5-8 and more than three miles for a child aged eight years or over. In each case the distance measured is by the nearest available walking route between the home address and the school. Pupils aged 8-11 whose parents/carers are in receipt of the maximum level of Working Tax Credit or who are entitled to free school meals will qualify for free school transport if they live more than two miles from their nearest school with available places.

More information can be found in the Primary Admissions booklet in Section 4 or on our school bus passes webpage. [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/schoolbuspasses]

You can apply online for a travel pass [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/applyforatravelpass].

How does the government's policy on Infant Class sizes affect my child's admission to school?

By law, no child at Key Stage l should be taught in classes of over 30 pupils. This may affect you. If there are more than 30 children wanting to go into a class, we will use the admissions rules (oversubscription criteria) to decide who gets a place. If you do not get a place in any of your preferred schools, you can appeal against our decision to an Independent Appeals Panel. However your appeal will not normally be successful if it were to lead to a class of over 30. Further information on the appeals process [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/schoolappeals] can be found in Section 6 of the Primary Admissions Booklet.

If your child is not offered a place at a voluntary aided school or academy, please contact the head teacher for details of their appeals procedure.

School contact details. [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/schoolcontactdetails]

Does the council offer help with the costs of uniform?

No, we do not operate a uniform grants scheme. Individual schools may be able to offer support depending upon your financial circumstances. Please also contact Citizens Advice Coventry [http://www.advicebuddy.org/] or visit Kirkby House, Little Park Street, Coventry CV1 2JZ.

What do I do if I am a member of UK armed forces or a crown servant returning to the UK from a posting abroad?

The School Admissions Code requires that for families of UK armed forces or Crown servants returning from overseas to live in Coventry, admission authorities must allocate a school place in advance of the family arriving in the area, provided their application is accompanied by an official letter declaring a relocation date. Children of UK service personnel and other Crown Servants will be treated as meeting the residency criteria for a catchment area once proof of posting has been provided.

Can I refuse to accept a school offer if it's not one of the schools I wanted/selected?

Unfortunately, we are unable to remove a school your child has been offered unless we can offer an alternative school with places available. You can discuss availability with the school admissions team. There is no guarantee by requesting one of the alternative schools that a place will be offered as this will depend on how many other requests we receive for these spaces.

Can I have a friend ring on my behalf to talk about my application form?

Due to GDPR regulations, the Admissions team can only speak to the parent who made the application unless they provided details of an alternative contact within the application details.

How primary school places were allocated for September 2024

Local Authority Community Schools, Voluntary Controlled Schools and Academy Schools

The Admissions Policy of the City Council in the event of over-subscription for Local Authority Community, Voluntary Controlled Primary and some Academy Schools for 2024 entry is:

All children with an Education, Health and Care Plan that name the school will be admitted before all other applicants.

• Criteria 1: Children who, at the time of admission, are in the care of a local authority or are provided with accommodation by the authority (looked after children). Also children who were previously looked after but ceased to be so because they were adopted, or became subject to a child arrangements order or a special guardianship order. This also includes those children who appear to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted.  A looked after child is defined in Section 22 of the Children Act 1989.
• Criteria 2: To children who live in the catchment area served by the school, who have a brother or sister attending the school provided that the brother or sister will continue to attend that school the following year;
• Criteria 3: To other children who live in the catchment area served by the school;
• Criteria 4: To children who live outside the catchment area with a brother or sister who currently attends the school provided that the brother or sister will continue to attend that school the following year;
• Criteria 5: To children of Staff who have been employed at the school for two or more years at the time of application for the school place; or recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage;
• Criteria 6: To all other children

If it was not possible to meet all the requests in any one of the categories described above, the City Council has prioritised the requests based on the distance to the school.  A straight-line measurement has been made from the child's home address to the centre of the preferred school site. The address used must be the child's permanent home address. The shortest measurement has highest priority.

Advisory Centre for Education (ACE)

ACE provides independent advice to parents/carers of children in state-funded schools on admissions and appeals. Visit their website: www.ace-ed.org.uk [http://www.ace-ed.org.uk/]

Allocation of Coventry primary school places for September 2024 as of National Offer day 16 April 2024

On 16 April 2024 we have been able to offer places at requested schools to most applicants, and the majority of primary schools still have some places available. In the table below we have listed the 32 schools that are full. It was not possible to offer places to all who requested them and places at these oversubscribed schools were allocated using the criteria in each school admissions policy.

The table shows the number of places offered to all those who applied on time (by 15 January 2024) and where the school was oversubscribed, we include details of the last place offered. 

In the section on last places offered we list the criteria that the offer was made under eg catchment area. If you click on the name of the school this will take you to their admissions policy for 2024 for further details. We also show the distance from the school to the home address of the last child given a place.

 

Primary school place allocation

School	Places offered	Details and distance of last place offered/last offer made
All Saints’ CE Primary [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/communityandvcschoolsadmissionspolicies]	30	Criteria 6 (distance) some offered up to a distance of 0.233 of a mile
All Souls Catholic [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/1783/all_souls_catholic_school]	30	Criteria 4 (other baptised children with a sibling) some offered up to a distance of 1.07 miles
Broad Heath Primary [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/communityandvcschoolsadmissionspolicies]	90	Criteria 6 (distance) some offered up to a distance of 0.943 of a mile
Christ the King [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/1784/christ_the_king_catholic_primary]	60	Criteria 9 (non-catholic children in area) some up to a distance of 0.102 of a mile
Courthouse Green [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/5522/courthouse_green_primary]	90	Criteria 6 (distance) some offered up to a distance of 1.655 miles
Ernesford Grange Primary [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/communityandvcschoolsadmissionspolicies]	60	Criteria 6 (distance) some offered up to a distance of 1.029 miles
Good Shepherd Catholic [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/1787/good_shepherd_catholic_primary]	30	Criteria 8 (non-catholic children) some up to a distance of 0.49 of a mile
Gosford Park Primary [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/communityandvcschoolsadmissionspolicies]	60	Criteria 6 (distance) some offered up to a distance of 0.583 of a mile
Grangehurst Primary [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/communityandvcschoolsadmissionspolicies]	60	Criteria 6 (distance) some offered up to a distance of 0.652 of a mile
Holy Family Catholic [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/1788/holy_family_catholic_primary]	60	Criteria 8 (non-catholic children) some up to a distance of 0.365 of a mile
Howes Primary [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/communityandvcschoolsadmissionspolicies]	15	Criteria 3 (Catchment) all requests under this criterion offered
John Shelton Primary [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/communityandvcschoolsadmissionspolicies]	30	Criteria 6 (distance) some offered up to a distance of 0.428 of a mile
Longford Park Primary [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/communityandvcschoolsadmissionspolicies]	30	All requests allocated
Manor Park Primary [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/communityandvcschoolsadmissionspolicies]	90	Criteria 6 (distance) some offered up to a distance of 0.83 of a mile
Park Hill [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/communityandvcschoolsadmissionspolicies] Primary [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/communityandvcschoolsadmissionspolicies]	60	All requests allocated
Sacred Heart Catholic [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/1791/sacred_heart_catholic_primary]	60	Criteria 8 (non-catholic children) some offered up to a distance of 0.192 of a mile
Sidney Stringer Primary [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/3714/sidney_stringer_primary_school]	60	Criteria 4 (distance) some offered up to a distance of 0.369 of a mile
Southfields Primary [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/communityandvcschoolsadmissionspolicies]	30	All requests allocated
St Anne’s Catholic [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/1794/st_annes_catholic_primary]	30	Criteria 8 (non-catholic children) some up to a distance of 0.529 of a mile
St Augustine's Catholic [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/1795/st_augustines_catholic_primary]	60	Criteria 8 (non-catholic children) some up to a distance of 0.502 of a mile
St Elizabeth's Catholic [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/1797/st_elizabeths_catholic_primary]	30	Criteria 8 (non-catholic children) some up to a distance of 0.270 of a mile
St Gregory's Catholic [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/1798/st_gregorys_catholic_school]	30	All requests allocated
St John Vianney Catholic [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/1801/st_john_vianney_catholic_school]	30	Criteria 8 (non-catholic children with a sibling) all requests allocated to a distance of 1.678 miles
St Mary & St Benedict Catholic [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/1802/st_mary_and_st_benedict_catholic_primary]	45	Criteria 8 (non-catholic children) some offered up to a distance of 0.348 of a mile
St Osburg's Catholic [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/1803/st_osburgs_catholic_primary]	30	Criteria 8 (non-catholic children) some offered up to a distance of 0.53 of a mile
St Patrick’s Catholic [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/1804/st_patricks_catholic_primary]	30	Criteria 8 (non-catholic children) some offered up to a distance of 0.33 of a mile
St Thomas More Catholic [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/1805/st_thomas_more_catholic_primary]	30	Criteria 8 (non-catholic children) some offered up to a distance of 0.376 of a mile
Stivichall Primary [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/communityandvcschoolsadmissionspolicies]	75	Criteria 6 (distance) some offered up to a distance of 2.115 miles
Stoke Primary [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/communityandvcschoolsadmissionspolicies]	60	All requests agreed
Whittle Academy [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/4142/whittle_academy]	31	Criteria 6 (distance) some offered up to a distance of 0.426 of a mile
Willenhall Community [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/communityandvcschoolsadmissionspolicies]	60	All requests allocated
Wyken Croft Primary [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/communityandvcschoolsadmissionspolicies]	120	Criteria 6 (distance) some offered up to a distance of 1.233 miles

If your child has been allocated a place at a school you did not request (rank 8) this is because Coventry have been unable to accommodate your preferences, as a result a place has been reserved for your child at the nearest school with a place available.

If you have been refused a Coventry school place you have the right to appeal against the decision. Register your appeal [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/school-admissions/school-appeals]. [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/school-admissions/school-appeals/5]

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Places at schools in another authority

If your child has been offered a place at a school in another Authority please see details below regarding accepting/refusing the school place.

If you fail to accept the offer of a place it could result in the place being withdrawn.

Warwickshire Admissions Service [https://www.warwickshire.gov.uk]

01926 414143

Only inform Warwickshire if you wish to refuse the school place offered; Email: admissions@warwickshire.gov.uk [mailto:acceptingaschoolplace@warwickshire.gov.uk]

Solihull School Admissions [https://www.solihull.gov.uk/admissions]

0121 704 6693

Only inform Solihull if you wish to refuse the school place offered; Email: admissions@solihull.gov.uk [mailto:admissions@solihull.gov.uk]

Birmingham School Admissions [https://www.birmingham.gov.uk/info/20119/school_admissions]

0121 303 1888

Only inform Birmingham if you wish to refuse the school place offered.  Email admissions@birmingham.gov.uk [mailto:admissions@birmingham.gov.uk]

In-year transfers/new arrivals

In-year transfers

When a child enters primary school or transfers at 11 to secondary school, it is normally expected that they will continue at their school throughout their school career. We recognise however, that there may be specific limited circumstances where a parent or guardian considers a transfer request to be appropriate. As a parent, please think carefully before making an in-year transfer request. A change of school may not be the solution and if undertaken hastily may worsen the situation. There is clear evidence that the attainment levels of children who move schools are significantly lower than those who remain at the same school throughout their primary education. If you wish your child to transfer schools within Coventry please contact the school your child currently attends to discuss your request with them. This will give an opportunity to resolve any difficulties with the school. Parents considering a transfer should also take into account that if you choose to move your child transport assistance will not be available.

How to apply

All primary schools in Coventry except All Souls Catholic Primary School and St Mary’s & St Benedict’s Catholic Primary School are part of the Coventry co-ordinated admissions scheme [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/3171/primary-admissions-scheme]. This however, does not include Independent fee-paying schools (please contact these schools directly) and Special Educational Needs Schools which are for children who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (details of how to apply [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/sen])

For anyone making an application, please view the individual schools' admissions policies [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/schoolcontactdetails]. This will show you how each school will prioritise your application. Schools will often give applications for those living in the catchment area, or who have a sibling at the school a higher priority, and the details are available in the school policy or the primary admissions booklet [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/243/in-year-primarysecondary-school-admissions-booklets].

Applying for a Coventry school (except All Souls and St Mary and St Benedict Primaries [#except])

Please complete the primary in-year application form [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/primaryinyearapplication].

If you are currently living overseas, and intend to move to Coventry, please note that foreign nationals who do not normally reside in the UK but who wish to apply for a state-funded school place, must check that their children have an immigration status which permits them to enter the UK to access a state-funded school before applying. Please see further details at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/schools-admissions-applications-from-overseas-children#local-authority-responsibilities [https://www.gov.uk/guidance/schools-admissions-applications-from-overseas-children#local-authority-responsibilities]

Applicants for Leigh C of E Primary School and Seva School may also need to complete a supplementary information form to enable school governors to fully consider their application against faith-based oversubscription criteria. The supplementary forms can either be obtained directly from the schools or by following the links below.

• Leigh CE Primary [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/1789/leigh_church_of_england]
• Seva School [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/2777/seva_school_primary]

Please return completed supplementary forms directly to the school.

How decisions are made

All applications received between the dates shown in the table below will be assessed and decisions will be sent out via letter/email as listed. Please note that admissions decisions are made during term time only.

Application dates

Round	Opening date	Closing date	Decision emails
1	Wednesday 12 July 2023	Thursday 31 August 2023	Thursday 7 September 2023
2	Friday 1 September 2023	Tuesday 5 September 2023	Wednesday 13 September 2023
3	Wednesday 16 September 2023	Tuesday 12 September 2023	Wednesday 20 September 2023
4	Wednesday 13 September 2023	Tuesday 19 September 2023	Wednesday 27 September 2023
5	Wednesday 20 September 2023	Tuesday 26 September 2023	Wednesday 4 October 2023
6	Wednesday 27 September 2023	Tuesday 3 October 2023	Wednesday 11 October 2023
7	Wednesday 4 October 2023	Tuesday 10 October 2023	Wednesday 18 October 2023
8	Wednesday 11 October 2023	Tuesday 17 October 2023	Wednesday 25 October 2023

Half term 30 October 2023 - 03 November 2023

Application dates

Round	Opening date	Closing date	Decision emails
9	Wednesday 18 October 2023	Tuesday 24 October 2023	Wednesday 8 November 2023
10	Wednesday 25 October 2023	Tuesday 7 November 2023	Wednesday 15 November 2023
11	Wednesday 8 November 2023	Tuesday 14 November 2023	Wednesday 22 November 2023
12	Wednesday 15 November 2023	Tuesday 21 November 2023	Wednesday 29 November 2023
13	Wednesday 22 November 2023	Tuesday 28 November 2023	Wednesday 6 December 2023
14	Wednesday 29 November 2023	Tuesday 5 December 2023	Wednesday 13 December 2023
15	Wednesday 6 December 2023	Tuesday 12 December 2023	Wednesday 20 December 2023

Christmas holidays 25 December 2023 - 5 January 2024

Application dates

Round	Opening date	Closing date	Decision emails
16	Wednesday 13 December 2023	Tuesday 19 December 2023	Wednesday 10 January 2024
17	Wednesday 20 December 2023	Tuesday 9 January 2024	Wednesday 17 January 2024
18	Wednesday 10 January 2024	Tuesday 16 January 2024	Wednesday 24 January 2024
19	Wednesday 17 January 2024	Tuesday 23 January 2024	Wednesday 31 January 2024
20	Wednesday 24 January 2024	Tuesday 30 January 2024	Wednesday 7 February 2024

Half term 12 February 2024 - 16 February 2024

Application dates

Round	Opening date	Closing date	Decision emails
21	Wednesday 31 January 2024	Tuesday 6 February 2024	Wednesday 21 February 2024
22	Wednesday 7 February 2024	Tuesday 20 February 2024	Wednesday 28 February 2024
23	Wednesday 21 February 2024	Tuesday 27 February 2024	Wednesday 6 March 2024
24	Wednesday 28 February 2024	Tuesday 5 March 2024	Wednesday 13 March 2024
25	Wednesday 6 March 2024	Tuesday 12 March 2024	Wednesday 20 March 2024

Easter holidays 25 March 2024 - 5 April 2024

Application dates

Round	Opening date	Closing date	Decision emails
26	Wednesday 13 March 2024	Tuesday 19 March 2024	Wednesday 10 April 2024
27	Wednesday 20 March 2024	Tuesday 9 April 2024	Wednesday 17 April 2024
28	Wednesday 10 April 2024	Tuesday 16 April 2024	Wednesday 24 April 2024
29	Wednesday 17 April 2024	Tuesday 29 April 2024	Wednesday 1 May 2024
30	Wednesday 24 April 2024	Tuesday 30 April 2024	Wednesday 8 May 2024
31	Wednesday 1 May 2024	Tuesday 7 May 2023	Wednesday 15 May 2024
32	Wednesday 8 May 2024	Tuesday 14 May 2024	Wednesday 22 May 2024

Half term 27 May 2024 - 31 May 2024

Application dates

Round	Opening date	Closing date	Decision emails
33	Wednesday 15 May 2024	Tuesday 21 May 2024	Wednesday 5 June 2024
34	Wednesday 22 May 2024	Tuesday 4 June 2024	Wednesday 12 June 2024
35	Wednesday 5 June 2024	Tuesday 11 June 2024	Wednesday 19 June 2024
36	Wednesday 12 June 2024	Tuesday 18 June 2024	Wednesday 26 June 2024
37	Wednesday 19 June 2024	Tuesday 25 June 2024	Wednesday 3 July 2024
38	Wednesday 26 June 2024	Tuesday 2 July 2024	Wednesday 10 July 2024
39	Wednesday 3 July 2024	Tuesday 9 July 2024	Wednesday 17 July 2024

Where an application is unsuccessful letters/emails will set out the reason for refusal and information about the right to appeal. Your child will be placed on the waiting list for the school requested and you will have the right to appeal to an independent appeals panel. For information on a school's waiting list and appeal process, please view the school's admissions policies [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/schoolcontactdetails].

Further general information about the appeals process [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/148/school_admissions/122/school_appeals].

Please note: If we are unable to offer you any of the schools you requested and your child does not have a school place you will be asked to contact the School Admissions Team to discuss alternative schools with places available within 10 school days of receipt of your letter/email. The local authority legally must make sure that your child is offered a school place, and will allocate a place at the nearest school with a space available.

Applying for All Souls Catholic Primary and St Mary & St Benedict’s Catholic Primary Schools

If you wish to apply for in-year admission at either All Souls Primary and St Mary & St Benedict’s Primary Schools, you should contact the school directly (details below) for admission or apply for these and other schools on the online application form and we will pass your request to the listed schools.

All Souls R.C Primary

Linsey Rae, School Business Manager
E: linsey.rae@allsoulsschool.co.uk [mailto:linsey.rae@allsoulsschool.co.uk]
T: 024 7667 5836
A: Abercorn Road, Coventry, CV5 8ED
W: www.allsoulsschool.co.uk [https://allsoulsschool.co.uk/]

St Mary and St Benedict R.C. Primary School

Julie Anderton, Clerical Officer
E: admin@stmary-stben.coventry.sch.uk [mailto:admin@stmary-stben.coventry.sch.uk]
T: 024 7622 9486
A: Leigh Street, Hillfields, Coventry, CV1 5HG
W: www.stmary-stben.coventry.sch.uk [https://www.stmary-stben.coventry.sch.uk/]

Whatever year group your child is in, it’s important that if you are considering moving schools, you need to make sure that the school you choose is the right one for your child. The best way to find this out is to visit the school you are interested in - speak to the headteacher (with an appointment) if you can.

Further information about each school can be found on the school contact pages [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/schoolcontactdetails].

Application for places outside the normal age group

Where a parent/carer seeks a place for their child outside their normal age group, they must state which year group they are requesting and why they want this year group on the application form. Parents/carers will then be contacted to discuss the matter further as requests will be considered on the circumstances of each case and in the child’s best interests. Each school governing body will need to make an individual decision. There are no guarantees that such applications will be agreed. However, where the application is not agreed a letter setting out the decision and reasons for it will be provided along with any rights to appeal.

Further information for parents and schools to consider in dealing with applications outside the normal age group [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/summer-born-children-school-admission].

Fair Access Protocol

The Coventry Fair Access Protocol ensures that, outside the normal admissions round, unplaced children are offered a place at a suitable school as quickly as possible. This protocol does not apply to Looked After Children or pupils who have an Education, Health and Care Plan. The protocol also seeks to ensure that no school - including those with available places - is asked to take a disproportionate number of children who have been excluded from other schools, or who have challenging behaviour.

Further details of the protocol are available from the Inclusion and Attendance team [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/attendanceandinclusion].

Transport

If you decide to move your child, the Local Authority will not provide free transport even if you live outside the travel limits for the school (two miles for key stage 1 and three miles for key stage 2). Remember the journey to a new school may involve additional buses, extra costs and travelling time.

Appealing for a place

If your application for a school is unsuccessful, you have the right to have your case heard by an Independent Appeals Panel [/schoolappeals].

If you wish to appeal for either a reception place or as part of an in-year request, for a community school or any of those listed on the appeal timetable [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/6673/2021-appeals-timetable-information-all-schools] you should contact the relevant School Appeals team.

Further information on how to appeal for a school for whom the Local Authority arranges the appeals, can be found on our School Appeals page [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/school-admissions/school-appeals].

You can also use the FAQs (frequently asked questions) on Starting Primary school [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/148/school_admissions/114/primary_school_admissions/3] to try and answer any queries you may have on this subject.

Admission of children outside their normal chronological age group

Community and Voluntary controlled schools 

Legally a child does not have to be educated until the term after their fifth birthday. Parents may feel their child is young for their age, or there may be other reasons for wanting to delay their entry to school. This is called deferred entry.  

Paragraph 2.18 of the School Admissions Code allows parents to request that their child is educated outside of their normal age group; for example, if their child is gifted or talented or has experienced problems such as ill health. In addition, the parents of a summer born child [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/summer-born-children-school-admission] may choose not to send that child to school until the September following their fifth birthday, and may request that they are admitted out of their normal age group - to Reception rather than Year 1. 

In these situations, applications for a place should be made in the normal way. The Authority recommends that the parent/carer contact the headteacher of the preferred school to discuss the matter in more detail prior to submitting the application. If the parent/carer then decides to defer entry, a place will be reserved until the child starts as long as they start within the academic year. The Authority cannot allocate it to another child.  Parents/carers cannot assume however that an application for a deferred entry place will be successful. It will be considered alongside all other applications in accordance with the general City Council admissions policy. 

Where a parent/carer of a summer born child [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/summer-born-children-school-admission] wishes to defer entry until the following academic year, and wishes their child to start in reception this will mean the child is taught out of their normal age group. They should still make an application at the usual time but must notify us on the application that they will wish to request a place out of the normal age group. Parents/carers will then be contacted to discuss the matter further and should note there are no guarantees that such applications will be successful, but that each case will be considered individually.  Any decision taken will be on the basis of what is in the child's best interests. Decisions as to whether or not a child is educated out of year group will be made by the admission authority of the school in question; this will not always be the local authority. 

Parents may seek a place for their child outside of their normal age group. The application will be considered alongside all other applications in accordance with the Coventry co-ordinated admissions scheme. Where the application is refused the parent has a right to an appeal against the refusal of a place, unless the child has been offered a place in another year group in the school. 

Part time attendance  

Parents can request that their child attends part time until the child reaches compulsory school age.

Read our guidance on the process [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/file/28497/guidance_notes_for_applying_to_educate_out_of_the_normal_chronological_age_group].

Primary school offers 2024 - additional information

If you have submitted an online application for your child’s primary school place. You will be aware that primary school places will be offered on Tuesday 16 April 2024.

This update is to provide you with some useful information about the process and point you to additional support that will be available online.

As you applied online, you will be sent an email informing you which school has been offered to your child.  Emails will be sent on Tuesday 16 April 2024, and we expect that you will receive your email by 4pm. 

The exact time will depend on your email service provider. If you have not received any emails, please ensure you check your junk mail folder as the email could be in there. Your junk folder could be called 'junk', 'trash' or 'spam'.

Alternatively, you can log back into your account to see the result of your application.

All parents who made a paper or telephone application will be sent a decision letter via email by 19 April 2024.

Please do not contact Coventry City Council before you have received the offer of a school place.

If for any reason you have not received your letter or email by the 19 April 2024, we will provide you with information on the outcome of your application over the telephone. 

If you applied after the closing date of 15 January 2024 then you will not receive an offer of a school place on 16 April 2024. You will be notified by the end of May of your school place offer.

If you did not make an application, then please apply as soon as possible. [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/school-admissions/school-admissions-online-applications]

Next steps

If your circumstances have changed and you want to change your application to request different schools, then please email your request to Rising5@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:Rising5@coventry.gov.uk]  or call 024 7697 5445 by 1 May 2024 with any new requests.

If your child has not been offered a place at any of the schools you applied for, this will be because the school(s) received more applications than there were places available and other children met the admission criteria more closely than your child. The Local Authority is legally obliged to offer a school place and therefore your child will have been offered a place at the nearest school from the home address that had a place available after we had completed the allocation. If you are not happy with the distance of the school to your home address you may be entitled to a free travel pass for your child [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/schools-schooling/school-travel-passes]. The school place offered (preference 8) will not be removed from your child until a place can be offered at an alternative school.

You will be placed on the waiting lists for the schools where your application has been refused and you will have the right of appeal. In the meantime, you can make requests for places at other schools.  Please email your request to Rising5@coventry.gov.uk [mailto:Rising5@coventry.gov.uk]  or call 024 76975445 by 1 May 2024 with any new requests

From 2 May 2024 we will put together all late applications and changes of preference and complete a second round of offers by the end of the month. Any places which become available will be offered according to those who have the highest priority on the school waiting lists which are organised according to the admissions policy of each school.  

Waiting lists

If you do not receive an offer of a place at one of your higher preference schools your child's name will automatically be placed on the waiting lists for those schools and will remain on these lists until the end of the Autumn term (31 December). Applications are prioritised according to the admissions policy of each school.

Having a place on the waiting list is no guarantee that a place will become available. 

The position your child is at on the waiting list is as of the day you enquire. There will be no changes to the waiting list from 16 April 2024 until we have completed the second allocation round so information on changes to waiting list positions will only be available from 3 June 2024.

The Admissions team will contact you if a school place becomes available for your child from a waiting list.

Parents who have applied for places outside the city should contact the appropriate authority direct to discuss the appeals process and the position on any waiting lists. 

Appeals

You have the right to appeal at any school that you have applied for and had written confirmation of being refused admission. 

If you are considering the possibility of submitting an appeal, please read the advice regarding appeals on the School Admissions website carefully.

You can only appeal against the refusal of a place at a school you applied for.

Appeals are heard and decided by panels that are completely independent of the council and the school(s).

Consider the likelihood of your appeal being successful.

For example, were you realistic with the preferences you submitted for your child?

Appeals are generally only successful if you or your child have exceptional reasons for needing admission to a particular school.  Infant Class Size appeals are subject to the Government legislation around class sizes of no more than 30 pupils per class. Read more information [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/info/148/school_admissions/122/school_appeals/6]. 

There are no guarantees that any appeal will be successful (see below for the number heard and success rates for appeals administered by Coventry City Council over the last three years).

Number of successful appeals in 2020 to 2022

School year	No of appeals heard	Number of successful appeals
Primary transfer 2023	31	1
Primary transfer 2022	33	1
Primary transfer 2021	20	1
Primary transfer 2020	27	0

Please find below a list of schools whose appeals are administered by the Local Authority. Should you wish to appeal for any of these schools, the closing date for submitting your written appeal is 17 May 2024 with a second round closing date of 7 June 2024.

If you submit an appeal after 7 June 2024, it will be classed as a late appeal and will be heard after the on-time appeals, and it may not be heard before the beginning of September 2024.

• Aldermans Green Primary
• Aldermoor Farm Primary
• All Saints CE
• Allesley Primary
• Allesley Hall Primary
• Broad Heath Primary
• Cannon Park Primary
• Clifford Bridge Primary
• Coundon Primary
• Courthouse Green Primary
• Earlson Primary
• Edgewick Primary
• Ernesford Grange Primary
• Finham Primary
• Frederick Bird Primary
• Gosford Park Primary
• Grange Farm Primary
• Grangehurst Primary
• Hearsall Community Academy
• Henley Green Primary
• Hill Farm Academy
• Holbrook Primary
• Hollyfast Primary
• Howes Primary
• John Gulson Primary
• John Shelton Primary
• Joseph Cash Primary
• Keresley Grange Primary
• Limbrick Wood Primary
• Little Heath Primary
• Longford Park Primary
• Manor Park Primary
• Moat House Primary
• Moseley Primary
• Mount Nod Primary
• Park Hill Primary
• Parkgate Primary
• Pearl Hyde Primary
• Potters Green Primary
• Radford Academy
• Ravensdale Primary
• Richard Lee Primary
• Sidney Stringer Primary
• Southfields Primary
• Sowe Valley Primary
• Spon Gate Primary
• St Andrews CE Infant
• St Christopher Primary
• Stivichall Primary
• Stoke Primary
• Stoke Heath Primary
• Templars Primary
• Walsgrave Primary
• Whitley Abbey Primary
• Whitmore Park Primary
• Whittle Academy
• Whoberley Hall Primary
• Willenhall Primary
• Wyken Croft Primary

You will be able to access the appeal form online from 16 April 2024. [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/school-admissions/school-appeals/5]

If you wish to submit an appeal please check the Appeals timetable [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/6673/2022-appeals-timetable-information-all-schools] to see further information on who to contact and deadline dates.