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Starting Reception in 2027: the January application not to overlook
Families planning a September 2027 Reception start should check their home council’s application process now. The general primary-school deadline is 15 January, not the autumn secondary-school deadline.
Nursery does not complete the application
GOV.UK explains that a school place still needs an application even when a child attends a linked nursery.
Confirm the relevant local authority and the rules for the intended entry year.
- Article type
- Practical guide
- Sources checked
- 21 October 2026; not live booking inventory
On this page
Use the preference system properly
Read how choices and supporting information are handled.
Naming only one school does not create a stronger claim to it. Separate a family’s preference from the published criteria used to allocate places.
Ask about unusual circumstances early
Deferred entry, moves and other questions belong with the home council’s admissions team.
This guide does not decide eligibility or predict an offer. Keep the submitted application and any council correspondence, rather than relying on a draft screen.
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