The window for the applications opens today. The closing date for secondary school applications is Saturday 31 October 2026, while the closing date for applications for a primary, infant or junior school is Friday 15 January 2027.
All applications received by the closing dates are considered at the same time and processed using each school’s published oversubscription criteria where necessary. Applications submitted after the closing date are processed after all on-time applications.
Last year, Suffolk County Council received more than 14,700 on-time applications from families seeking primary, infant, junior and secondary school places for September 2026. Of those applicants, 94% were offered their first preference school and 98.4% received an offer at one of their top three preferred schools.
Councillor Tony Gould, Suffolk County Council's Cabinet Member for Education and SEND said:
“Parents and carers should take time to carefully consider their school preferences and make sure they submit their application before the relevant closing date. We strongly recommend they apply for more than one school to give them the best chance of their child being offered a place at one of their preferred schools.”
Parents and carers should apply online at www.suffolk.gov.uk/admissions, so they can receive confirmation that their application has been submitted successfully. If they cannot apply online, families can complete a paper application (CAF1). As paper applications cannot be acknowledged by Suffolk County Council, applicants are advised to obtain proof of posting.
Families planning to move home, or whose circumstances may change before September 2027, should still submit their application on time using their current address. Applications should be based on the current home address in case planned moves do not proceed.
National Offer Day for secondary school places is Monday 1 March 2027, and for primary school places is Friday 16 April 2027. Families who apply online will be able to view their offer of a school place through the online service and will receive confirmation by email on National Offer Day. Applicants who submit a paper form will receive their offer by second class post.
Further information about school admissions and how to apply is available at www.suffolk.gov.uk/admissions.
The Nearest School Checker is available at nearestschool.suffolk.gov.uk. Families can find out further information about Suffolk County Council’s School Travel Policy at www.suffolkonboard.com/schooltravel.
