Admissions / Admission Policies
Applying for a school place in-year
An in-year admission is when a child needs an immediate school place during the school year.
There are two main reasons for this. You might be moving house or unhappy with your child's current school.
You can apply for an in-year place up to four weeks before the place is needed. If you are offered a place, the school will require your child to start at the school within four school weeks. Exceptionally, parents seeking an in-year place starting in September 2024 can apply from 1st May 2024. These applications will be considered from 10th June 2024.
In-year applications for Hampshire schools are processed by the schools who will aim to respond to your application in writing within 10 school days but must respond in no later than 15 days.
Before you Apply
If your child is having difficulties at their current school, please speak to the headteacher to try and resolve the situation in the first instance. Changing school can be difficult for a child and rarely solves their difficulties. It is important to consider the emotional, social and academic consequences for your child connected with a change of school before contemplating making an application to another school.
All information about applying for a school place is available on the county website at: www.hants.gov.uk/admissions, where parents can also apply online.
Finding a school
Not all schools will have vacancies. Some will be full with a waiting list and so it wise to consider more than one school in case any are unable to take your child.
Use the school search to find Hampshire schools near to where you live.
Check the catchment school for your address.
When choosing a school, you must consider how your child will get there as you will be responsible for their travel arrangements and travel costs, unless you are eligible for statutory Home to School Transport.
Completing the in-year application
You can apply online for a place at any Hampshire School using the web address below. You must send any supporting documents, such as evidence of a new address to the school.
http://www.hants.gov.uk/admissions
To apply for a school outside of Hampshire, including Southampton and Portsmouth, you will need to contact the relevant local authority.
In addition to making your application, you must provide the school with evidence of your child’s address, by providing any two of the following:
- a driving licence
- a council tax bill showing both your name and the home address
- a utility bill (gas, electricity, water) showing both your name and home address
- a bank statement showing both your name and the home address,
Or, if you are applying for a school place because of a house move or military posting:
- read Hampshire County Council's address page to find out what evidence is required
The County Council may investigate the residence details you provide. An offer of a place may be withdrawn if you provide false information.
Some schools, especially faith schools, also require you to complete a supplementary form, in addition to the online application form. Check the school’s admission policy to see if a supplementary form is required. Completed supplementary forms should be returned to the school.
You will be unable to make changes to your application once it has been submitted. If you need to make a change, please contact the Admissions Team for further assistance.
Receiving the outcome
Schools will aim to respond to your application in writing within 10 school days but must respond in no later than 15 school days.
Please note that schools are unlikely to be able to respond to applications during school holidays. If you are waiting for an outcome, you may need to wait until the schools return.
If you are offered a place,
- speak to the school to arrange a start date.
If you are refused a place, you can:
- Add your child to the school’s waiting list
- Appeal the decision to refuse your child a place
- Contact the Admissions Team, who can help you find an alternative school place.
Help finding a school
If you need help finding a school place for your child, please contact the County Admissions Team who will be able to advise you about the nearest school with a place.
County Admissions Team, Children’s Services Department, Elizabeth II Court North, Winchester, SO23 8UG. Phone: 0300 555 1377 or email: admissions.team@hants.gov.uk
