Applying for a school place

Provides everything you need to apply for a school place and access to school admission policies

Admission to schools in Suffolk - what you need to know

School admissions overview

The information on this page:

  • explains what you need to do to apply for a school place
  • provides details of closing dates for applications
  • outlines the county council admissions policy
  • explains the criteria used to decide who will be offered a place at a school

Contact details and performance information about individual schools is available on the Schools in Suffolk section of this website.

What is free early learning?
When can my child start school?
Applying for a school place in 2011 – 2012 (Current school year)
Applying for a school place in the 2012 – 2013 school year
Track your online primary school place application
List of Schools
Admissions policies
Determined admission arrangements 2013-2014 
How to contact us
Further help with admissions
Other information

 What is free early learning?

Early learning is the first stage of education for all children. It starts part-time at the beginning of the term after a child’s 3rd birthday. Go to the Early Years and Childcare pages for more information.

 When can my child start school?

All children can attend school full-time in the September following their 4th birthday.

 Applying for a school place in 2011 - 2012 (Current school year)

Primary, Infant, Junior and Middle Schools - download the Admissions to Schools in Suffolk 2011-2012 Primary booklet 
Upper and High Schools - download the Admissions to Schools in Suffolk 2011-2012 Upper/High booklet 

If you wish to apply for a school place in the 2011-2012 school year please read the CAF2 application form guidance notes (moving to alternative Suffolk School) and complete a CAF2 application form.

 Applying for school place in 2012 - 2013

Primary, Infant, Junior and Middle Schools - download the Admissions to Schools in Suffolk 2012-2013 Primary booklet

REVISION TO SECTION 10: Early Education in the Schools in Suffolk 2012-13 Primary booklet  

Upper and High Schools - download the Admissions to Schools in Suffolk 2012-13 Upper/High booklet

You must make an application for a school place in September 2012 if your child:

  • will be 5 between 1 September 2012 and 31 August 2013 (this means they will have been born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008). You must make an application for a full-time place even if your child is already attending the school’s nursery class.
  • is due to transfer to a junior or middle school.

The closing date for applications for September 2012 was 13 January 2012. If you have not yet made an application please do so as soon as possible on a CAF1 application form. For more information see Section 3 of the Admissions to Schools in Suffolk 2012-13 booklet for primary, junior and middle schools.

You must make an application for a school place if your child is due to transfer to an upper/high school.

The closing date for applications for September 2012 was 31 October 2011. If you have not yet made an application please do so as soon as possible on a CAF1 application form. For more information see Section 3 of the Admissions to Schools in Suffolk 2012-13 booklet for upper/high schools.

 List of schools

Primary Schools list for Schools in Suffolk Booklet 2012-2013 
Middle Schools list for Schools in Suffolk Booklet 2012-2013 
Upper/High Schools list for Schools in Suffolk Booklet 2012-2013 

 Suffolk admission policies

2011-2012: Admissions policies for Suffolk maintained schools (including policies for community schools, voluntary controlled schools and voluntary aided schools)
2011-2012: Supplementary Information Forms (SIFs)

2012-2013: Admissions policies for Suffolk maintained schools (including policies for community schools, voluntary controlled schools, voluntary aided schools and academies)
2012-2013: Supplementary Information Forms (SIFs)

 Determined Admission Arrangements in 2013-2014:

2013-2014: Determined Admission Arrangements
2013-2014: Supplementary Information Forms (SIFs)  

 How to contact us

All schools in Suffolk are grouped into three areas, each with its own admissions team, so we can offer a more personal and local service to schools, parents and carers. Contact details are below.