Choosing your preferences
You should make sure you have stated a first, second and third preference and have not named the same school two or three times.
You must provide documentation as part of your application. This must include one of each of the following:
- one utility bill
- one document confirming the child's link to that address
Utility bill
The utility bill you submit as proof of address must:
- be a recent bill, dated within the last three months
- be for either gas, electricity or water
- show the parent or carer's name and address
Document confirming the child's link to that address
The School Admissions team does not accept telephone bills, credit card or bank statements as proof of address.
Choose one document type from the list below.
- GP registration letter showing the child's name and address
- hospital or NHS letter showing the child's name and address
- current Child Benefit award notice showing the child's name and address - find out how to obtain proof of your Child Benefit entitlement here
- Universal Credit award notice* showing the parent's address and the child's name
*Universal Credit award notice, not statement
Be aware that Universal Credit statements typically do not show a child's name. Instead, standard benefit award notices only display the claimant's name and address, alongside an adjustment for the child element.
To obtain an official document linking your child to your address, you must request a custom letter or printout through your online journal. You can request this specific proof of residence document by:
- calling the Universal Credit helpline
- visiting your local Jobcentre Plus
If you have moved
If you have recently moved address and do not have a utility bill, provide:
- an exchange of contract letter
- a completion letter
- a tenancy agreement
Reasons your application may be withdrawn or not processed
If you do not provide the relevant documentation to verify your address, your application will not be processed if your preferred school(s) is oversubscribed.
If you do not provide the relevant documentation to verify your child’s date of birth, your application will not be processed. This is only applicable to pupils new to the Luton school system.
Children who gain a place at a school or academy because their parents have given the council a false address will have their place withdrawn.
The Admissions team works closely with the Shared Anti-Fraud Service (SAFS) to investigate suspected address fraud.
If you do not state that your child has a sibling (brother or sister) who will be attending one of your preferred school(s), your application will not be considered under the sibling criterion.
Specific school preferences
If you've stated Cardinal Newman Catholic School as a preference (for the high school transfer), you must also complete the school’s supplementary form and provide the following, direct to the school:
- completed supplementary form
- my child’s original Baptismal certificate
- certificate of Catholic practice
- First Holy Communion certificate
The following schools have specific requirements.
- Sacred Heart Primary School
- St Margaret of Scotland Primary Schoo
- St Martin de Porres Primary School
If you have stated any of these schools as a preference (for the starting school admissions round), you must also complete the schools' supplementary form and provide the following, direct to the relevant school:
- completed supplementary form
- your child’s original Baptismal certificate or Certificate of Reception
If you've stated St Josephs Primary School as a preference (for the starting school admissions round), you must also provide your child’s original Baptismal certificate or Certificate of Reception direct to the school.
If you have specified Wenlock CofE Academy as a preference, you must also completed the school’s supplementary form.
For junior school transfer applications
If you have stated a primary school as a preference, this preference will be disregarded. This is because primary schools are not included in the junior school transfer.
If you are seeking admission on medical grounds
You must upload medical evidence for your child. If you do not upload medical evidence. your child will not be considered under medical grounds. Information added to the application will not be considered.
If your child is new to the Luton maintained schools system
If you are applying for a junior and/or high school and your child is new to the Luton maintained schools system, you must provide a copy of your child's birth certificate with your application.
If you're applying for school outside of Luton
You should make sure you:
- have read and understood the relevant council’s information guide and
- checked the school’s admission arrangements to see if you need to complete a supplementary form
If you state a preference for a school(s) outside of Luton, you must provide the relevant local authority and/or school with supporting document and/or information. If you provide this to us, the information will not be passed to the relevant parties.