Infant or primary school applications

Infant schools are those that take children aged 4-7. Primary schools are a combination of both infant and junior taking children aged 4-11.

For children born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008 (inclusive), you
must apply for a school place for entry in the academic year beginning September 2012. The closing date was 16 January 2012. You must still apply for an infant or primary school place even if your child already attends a nursery school class attached to that school.

Junior school applications

Junior schools are those that  take children aged 7-11.

If your child currently attends an infant school and was born between 1 September 2004 and 31 August 2005, you must apply for a junior or primary school place for entry in the academic year  beginning September 2012. The closing date was 16 January 2012.

Key dates

Timetable for school admissions application process

• 16 January 2012 - closing date for ontime applications
• 20 April 2012 - emails will be sent (to those who applied online) and letters offering a school place will be sent by second class post to all applicants. You can accept or reject the offer online
• 7 May 2012 - deadline for receipt for acceptance forms or placing names on waiting list (continued interest list)
• September 2012 - your child starts primary or infant school

How do I apply?

Before you apply make sure you have read the admissions process (pdf format, 233 Kb) so you fully understand our admission process, rules and criteria. Apply using only one of the following ways:

• It's quick, easy and secure to apply online. It also means you can start, save and complete your application any time up to the closing date of 16 January 2012.
• If you did not apply online by 16 January 2012 and have not yet made an application complete an application form (pdf format, 20 Kb) as soon as possible. You should also explain why you were unable to make the application on time.

What if my application is late?

If your application is late, you are far less likely to get a place at one of your preferred schools. We will write to you in June to let you know which school can offer your child a place.

 Key points

• it is the responsibility of parents/carers to apply for a school place
• if your child is attending nursery classes within a primary school, you must apply for a place in the main school
• you can list three different schools in order of preference. We strongly advise you to use all three preferences
• we advise you to enter your catchment (or designated) school as one of your preferences
• if your application is late, you are far less likely to get a place at one of your preferred schools

Choosing a school

Our choosing a school page gives lots of tips about choosing the right school for your child.

Starting school guide

You should also read the information in our  'Starting school' - a guide for primary, infant and junior school applications (pdf format, 2.4 Mb).

Catchment areas

Every school has a catchment (or designated) area. If there are more applications than places, priority is given to children living in the catchment area. We advise you to list your catchment school as one of your preferences so that there is more chance of your child being offered a place at one of your chosen schools.

To find out what your catchment school is, visit www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/localview and enter your postcode. Alternatively, you can see a primary school catchment area map for the whole county.

Will my child get a place?

Catchment area is one of the ways that places at schools are decided. There are other factors, such as whether a child has a brother or sister at the school or whether they have special educational needs. Religious or faith schools could use the religion of your child or family as a deciding factor. The admission rules (.pdf format, 221 Kb) give more detail about how places are decided. Voluntary aided and foundation schools have their own admission rules, which are published online.

What if I don’t get the place I want?

You can put your child’s name down on the waiting (or continued interest) list at up to three schools. Waiting lists will be discontinued on 31 July.

If you aren't happy with the offer you have been made, you have the right to appeal to an independent appeal panel. 

Will I get help with transport to school?

You can use the home to school transport policy (.pdf format, 62 Kb) to find out whether your child is eligible for free or concessionary transport. If there are places left on transport parents may be able to purchase seats on certain routes.

Moving/transferring schools

Visit the apply to transfer schools page if you are moving to Oxfordshire with a primary age child or are considering transferring your child to another primary school in Oxfordshire. Contact the Admissions Team for further advice.

Help and advice

For further advice and information, see our help and advice page. 

How were places allocated last year?

Choose your town form the list below to see information about schools in your area. This shows you how many places there are at each school (roll no.), how many children can be admitted (admission number, or AN), how many children were admitted last year and how the places were decided. See also the list of junior schools (.pdf format, 47 Kb).

• Kidlington area (.pdf format, 54 Kb)
• Oxford City area (.pdf format, 144 Kb)
• Sonning Common area (.pdf format, 34 Kb)
• Thame area (.pdf format, 49 Kb)
• Wallingford area (.pdf format, 54 Kb)
• Wantage area (.pdf format, 57 Kb)
• Watlington area (.pdf format, 47 Kb)
• Wheatley area (.pdf format, 45 Kb)
• Witney area (.pdf format, 89 Kb)
• Woodcote area (.pdf format, 52 Kb)
• Woodstock area (.pdf format, 56 Kb)