Junior school: what happens next
This guidance explains what happens next if you are unhappy with the junior school that has been allocated to your child.
If your child has not been allocated a place at any of your preferred junior schools and is unable to continue at their current school, you must complete an alternative school reply slip.
Start alternative school reply slip form
Failure to complete the alternative school reply slip will delay the processing of your child’s in-year application and your case may be referred to the Children Missing Education team.
Check for school vacancies
You can check infant and primary schools with vacancies in specific year groups by downloading the relevant vacancy list.
You should only request a place at a school on the vacancy list as these schools are the only schools that may currently have vacancies. Selecting a school that is not on the vacancy list will only result in your application being delayed.
Waiting list process
If your child has not been allocated a place at one of your preferred schools, their name will be placed on the waiting list for the school(s).
The list below shows how long your child’s name will be held on a waiting list for:
Waiting list for schools that expire on 31 July 2026
This includes the following schools:
- Farley Junior Academy (Academy)
- Ferrars Junior School (Academy)
- Hillborough Junior School (Community)
- Someries Junior School (Community)
- Warden Hill Junior School (Community)
- Wenlock CofE Academy (Academy)
- William Austin Junior School (Community)
For all the schools mentioned above, parents/carers can apply for their child’s name to be held on the waiting list following the expiry date by completing a new in-year application.
Parents and carers must be aware that:
- there is no guarantee that it will be possible to offer places to pupils on waiting list(s), in the future. Places at oversubscribed school(s) have been allocated up to their admission limit. Opportunities for those on the waiting lists will only occur if pupils already attending the school leave in the relevant year group
- waiting lists are organised in the order of priority of the relevant school's admission criteria. Waiting lists are not based on the date the application was added to the lists. The position of your child’s name on a waiting list may change as pupils are added to or deleted from the list(s).
- you must write to the Admissions Team to remove your child’s name from the waiting list(s) for any higher ranked school if you are content with the school offered to your child
- if your child has a brother or sister who is on the waiting list for the school offered, you must contact the Admissions team to ensure the brother or sister’s details are re-ranked on the waiting list
If your child is in Year 6 from September 2025 and their details are on a waiting list(s) for a junior school or primary school, their details will be removed on 31 July 2026.
Request details on your child’s position on a waiting list
Requests for details of your child’s position on a waiting list should be made in writing to the Admissions team.
How to appeal for a school place
You have the right of appeal against the decision not to offer your child a place at your preferred schools. We encourage you complete and submit an online appeal. The online appeal process is both quick and easy.
For information relating to the school admissions appeal process, together with the appeal form, read our appeals process for school admissions page.
Further information
For further guidance on admissions legislation read appealing a school's decision – GOV.UK.
If you need assistance in other languages or any other query, contact the Admissions team.