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Primary school application deadline approaches

Parents and carers have until Sunday 15 January 2023 to submit an application to secure their child’s place at a primary, infant or junior school for September 2023.
Published: 04 Jan 2023

Applications should be made for children born between 1 September 2018 and 31 August 2019 who are due to start primary school from September 2023.

An application for a full-time school place must be made even if a child is already attending a nursery class in an infant or primary school, a pre-school or a family hub next to a school site.

Parents and carers need to apply for a school place before 15 January 2023. This will give them the best chance of securing a place at their preferred school.
Before making a school application, parents and carers need to consider how they will get their child to and from school. We recommend applying for more than one school and up to three schools can be listed on the application form, in order of preference.
Profile of Rachel Hood
Councillor Rachel Hood, Cabinet Member for Education, SEND and Skills at Suffolk County Council

If you are planning to move house, or you think your circumstances may change before September, it is still essential to make an application on time.

Applications should be made online as this will mean parents and carers will receive a confirmation of their application. They can then log onto the online service on the National Offer Day (Monday 17 April 2023) to see their school place offer and they will also be sent an email to confirm this offer on the same day.

If a parent or carer is unable to apply online then they should complete a paper application (CAF1), however these cannot be acknowledged, so it is suggested parents and carers obtain proof of postage. For those who completed paper applications, offer letters will be sent out by second class post on the National Offer Day.

School Travel eligibility is based on a child attending their nearest suitable school that would have had a place available. This might not be the catchment area school. To find out more about SCC’s school travel policy please visit www.suffolkonboard.com/schooltravel.

Applications can be made at www.suffolk.gov.uk/admissions, where further advice and guidance is also available. Alternatively, parents and carers can call 0345 600 0981 for a paper application (CAF1).

Last year, Suffolk County Council offered 95.6% of children a place at the primary school their parent or carer listed as their first preference. If parents and carers do not apply by the closing date, their application may not be dealt with until after places have been offered to those who applied on time.