Randwick Church of England Primary
School
School Admissions
Reception Admission
Making an Application
Primary-guidance-booklet-for-2027-intake
Did you know that you must apply to the county council for a primary school place, even if you have put your name down at a school or your child has an older sibling at that school?
Every year, there are parents who do not put in an application form for their child as they believe they do not need to do so, having put their child's name down at their preferred school.
Others don't apply as they think that their child will be automatically admitted to the school their older brother and sister attends or to the school that the child's nursery or pre-school is linked to.
An application must be made to the county council for every child starting school in September 2027.
Parents can apply online 24 hours a day, seven days a week from November 3rd until midnight on 15 January 2027 or by completing a paper form which can be downloaded from the same site or requested from the county council's Co-ordinated Admissions on 01452 425407.
Parents are encouraged to list five preferred schools on their form as school places cannot be guaranteed - failing to include second, third, fourth and fifth preferences could lead to children being allocated school places parents would not have listed. Parents must apply online or return their form by 15 January 2026.
Parents will find out which school they have been allocated on 16 April and will need to return the reply form by 23 April. After 14 May, if parents have requested to go on a waiting list, requested an alternative placement, or have made a late application, they will receive the result of this stage.
Please read the following link before making an application:
The Process
The County Council co-ordinates Reception admissions to all maintained schools and academies. The national closing date for primary school applications is 15th January 2027 and parents/carers in Gloucestershire are given the opportunity to apply for up to five schools.
Allocations of school places are determined by the level of preference stated by the parent and the oversubscription criteria for schools (where too many children request places at particular schools). The oversubscription criteria for community and voluntary controlled schools is determined by the County Council; Governing Bodies of all foundation and voluntary aided schools and academies are responsible for their own criteria.
Where a parent’s/carer’s preferred schools are unable to offer places to their child, the child will be offered a place at the nearest school to the home address which has places available
September 2027 Allocations: Advice for parents/carers
Those parent/carer’s who were allocated their first preference school and who applied on-line will not receive a letter or paper reply form and can simply accept their place on-line. All other parents will receive a reply form with their allocation letter and it is important that they return these to the Co-ordinated Admissions Team.
Some parents will be anxious that their child has not been offered a place at their preferred school. It may be helpful to know that places will always become available after the initial allocation and we have therefore tried to make it clear in our information that there is a second stage of allocations where we may be able to reconsider their preferences. This happens when some parents refuse the school place offered (moving out of the area or attending independent school etc.) so we are able to offer that place to the child at the top of the waiting list.
If parents would like their preferences to be reconsidered, they should state this on the reply form. Since we cannot guarantee that a place at the preferred school will become available, we strongly recommend that parents/carers who ask for reconsideration also accept the school place offered to them initially - this will not affect reconsideration of their preferred school, but will ensure that they have the certainty of a school place for their child in September.
The results of this reconsideration will be sent to parents/carers after 14th May 2026. It is therefore recommended that only those who are still unhappy with their child’s school allocation after this date contact the co-ordinated admissions team. Parents/carers have a third opportunity to secure their preferred choice by means of a formal appeal and will receive information about this process with their final decision letter.
Primary School Admissions: September 2027
Applying for a school place during the school year
If you move to the area during the school year or your child needs to move school for other reasons, you will need to apply for a school place by contacting the school directly using the forms below.
Please note: An application is not an in-year application if your child is due to:
- Start school in reception for the first time in September 2027
- Transfer from year 2 to a dedicated junior school in 2027
- Start year 7 in a secondary school for the first time in September 2027
In these circumstances please refer back to the School Admissions page and follow the instructions to apply for a school place.
How to apply for an in-year admission
Parents and Guardians should complete an in-year application form and send this to their preferred school for consideration of a place.
Please apply directly to each school as Gloucestershire County Council do not coordinate In Year Admissions for any school.
To view your nearest school, please enter your chosen postcode into the address search at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/education-and-learning/find-a-school/. There are options to show nearest primary, infant, junior or secondary school on the map. Click on the school you are interested in and you will find the contact details for each school listed under the heading “Booklet Page”
You will need to complete an In-year application form - AUG 2021 V3 for each child.
Alternatively you can complete a PDF version of the In-year application form - AUG 2021. This can then be posted or taken into the school you have chosen.
You can also complete and send the form directly to the school by email.
Once you have applied directly to the preferred school(s), each school will be responsible for liaising with the parent in relation to their decision within 10-15 school days.
Parents who have been refused a place at their preferred school must be advised of their legal right of appeal. In addition, parents will be referred to the County Council for further assistance in securing a school place.
All schools must advise the County Council of each application received, and the outcome, ideally within 2 school days of the decision.
For a more detailed explanation please refer to our In Year Admissions Guidance Booklet 2026-2027
Website: www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/schooladmissions
Email: [email protected]
Telephone: 01452 426015 (Mon to Fri 8:30am to 17:00pm)
We strongly recommend that you visit the school as part of the decision making process. You will be able to have an indepth discussion with the Head Teacher and have a chance to see the children at work and play. If you would like to visit, please contact us to make an appointment.
Should you have any questions regarding admissions, then please contact Sarah du Feu in the school office
All Community and Voluntary Controlled Primary and Infant Schools use the following criteria to admit children into Reception Class:
- Children in Public Care (Looked After Children).
- Children who have a statement of special educational needs.
- Children who will have siblings attending the school at the time the applicant child is admitted.
- Children for whom only one particular school is appropriate due to an exceptional medical condition. Applications under this criterion will only be considered if they are supported by a written statement from the child’s doctor. This must demonstrate that there is a very specific connection between the medical need and the facilities or resources of the school concerned.
- Children with the strongest geographical claim, measured in a straight line from the centre of the child’s home address (including flats) to the central point of the school, using the Local Authority’s computerised measuring system, with those living closer to the school receiving the higher priority.
Where any particular category at points 1-4 above is oversubscribed, criterion 5 (strongest geographical claim based on straight line distance) will be used to determine which child is offered a place.
Schools Appeals
For the school appeals process please se the link below: School Admission Appeals
Please see Gloucestershire COunty Council Admission Appeals page for the updated appeals timetable - this is subject to change for September 2027 allocations.
