Information for Parents/Carers
Starting Primary or Secondary School in September 2023
National Offer Day information for primary school places 2023
Monday 17 April 2023 is National Offer Day for primary school places for pupils starting in Reception from September 2023. Please see the further information on the 'starting school' page.
Applications for September 2023* entering Primary School (Reception class) & Secondary School (moving from Year 6 to Year 7) opened on 1 September 2022 via the online Citizen Portal.
Please go to the 'Starting School' page for full information, a Parents Guide, a Schools Guide and frequently asked questions.
*IMPORTANT: If you do not live within the Sefton area you MUST apply through your home Local Authority for a Reception or Secondary school place even if the school you want to apply for is within Sefton.
Important Dates
Submit your application online via the Citizen Portal by the following national closing dates:
Closing Date for applications to start Secondary School is 31 October 2022
Closing Date for applications to start Primary School is 15 January 2023
In Year Admission or School Transfers During the School Year
For all other age groups applying for a new school placement during the school year these are known as 'In Year School Admissions'. Please go to the IN YEAR ADMISSIONS & SCHOOL TRANSFERS page for further information.
Children Under School Age & Nursery Placements
Sefton Admissions Team processes applications from Reception age upward and is NOT involved with placing children who are under school age into nursery provision. If you need a nursery placement for a child under school age please go to the Sefton Directory where you can search for OFSTED registered nurseries and childminders in your local area.
Alternatively you should contact the school/nursery you are interested in directly for further help about placing your child into a nursery.
All 3 and 4 year olds are entitled to the universal 15 hours free entitlement, for more information please go to the Sefton Directory
Working parents can see if they are eligible for the extended 30 hours free childcare for 3 and 4 year olds by accessing the Government website.
For queries about funded places for 2 year olds go to our Free Childcare page.
School Admission Appeals
If your child has been refused a place at a school by the Admission Authority (or via a Fair Access Panel decision), you have the right to submit an appeal against this decision, to an Independent Appeal Panel.
Further details will also be provided to you in the decision letter sent to you when your application has been processed (In Year Admissions) or on the National Offer Days for Primary & Secondary School Admissions. Please go to the Admission Appeals page for further details.
Home to School Transport
For further information on Home to School Transport eligibility, Transport Policy, application forms & the contact details for the Travel Support Team please see the Home to School Transport page.
School Admissions Policy and Reports
Go to the School Admissions Policy and Reports page which includes the Primary & Secondary Schools Determined Admissions Arrangements for 2023 & 2024, and the 2022 Report to the Office of the Schools Adjudicator. You can also view the In Year Admissions & Fair Access Policy on this page.
Applying for Year 10 Admission
If you are considering applying for a place at a 14-16 College, Studio School & U.T.C Please ensure that admission applications are made directly to the preferred school/college. More information can be found using the link below
Yr 10 Admission to a UTC, Studio School or 14-16 provision
Contact Us
Email: admissions@sefton.gov.uk
Tel: 0151 934 3590