You can apply for a new reception primary school place for September 2026 if your child was born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022.
If you're unsure, you can check which application you should use for your child at their age.
You can apply from Monday 1 September 2025.
The application deadline is midnight on Thursday 15 January 2026.
If we receive your application after the deadline, it will be classed as late and only considered after all on-time applications have been processed.
If you need it, you can read our user guide for making an online application (PDF).
Before you apply:
- check the local authority for where you live
- your application will come to us if you live in Hounslow - the location of the schools you want to apply to doesn't matter
- if you live in a different borough, visit their website for school admissions information
- check the application timetable
- read about how the admissions process works
- see a list and map of primary schools in Hounslow
- read information about primary schools in Hounslow: Starting school in Hounslow in September 2026 (PDF)
- consider how reception places were allocated in previous years
- check to see if you need to complete a supplementary information form in addition to your main application
- know what to do when you receive an offer
How the admissions process works
You can apply for six schools in order of preference.
We strongly recommend you use all six preferences. If you only list one school, this does not mean you will definitely get a place.
Schools do not know where they are in your list of preferences. We ask the admission authority of each school you have listed if they can give your child a place.
If more than one school can give your child a place, you will be given a place at the school that is listed highest in your order. Any lower preference will be withdrawn from your application.
If none of the schools you have listed can give your child a place, we will find a place at any school that still has vacancies after all the applications have been considered. This might be a school you did not consider and could be some distance away from your home.
This is why the more schools you list, the more chances you have of being offered a school you want.
Admission criteria
All schools are required to set their admission criteria by the Department for Education. The admission criteria are how they decide who they can give their school places to.
Each school has different criteria. There are often criteria that come before the distance between your home and the school. For example, if the child:
- is in the care of the local authority
- has an exceptional medical need
- has a sibling who already attends the school
- has a parent who is a teacher at the school
- practices a certain faith
Other personal circumstances, such as childcare or transport arrangements, cannot be considered.
Your application will be ranked in one criterion only. You should check the admission criteria for the schools you are interested in.
You can read more information about the admissions process in our brochure:
Supplementary information forms
Some schools require you to complete a supplementary information form (SIF) alongside your main application.
You can see a list of schools that require a SIF and where to find it:
When you receive an offer
You will receive an offer on Thursday 16 April 2026 if you made your application before the deadline at midnight on Thursday 15 January 2026.
You need to accept this offer before the deadline on Thursday 30 April 2026.
More information: Reception primary school place offer
Contact school admissions
Contact us by email or phone if you have any enquiries. Check your junk and spam folders if you're expecting an email from us.
Address:
