Starting Reception in September 2026

If your child was born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022, you will need to apply for a school place in reception year, for September 2026.

Key dates

1 September 2025 - start of application process

15 January 2026 - closing date for on-time applications

12 February 2026 - deadline for late applications and changes to on-time applications, with good reason

16 April 2026 - Primary National Offer Day

30 April 2026 - Offer acceptance deadline

1 May 2026 - Deadline for late applications to be considered for the second round of offers

11-15 May 2026 - Second round offers

From 18 May 2026 - Further offers from waiting lists as vacancies arise

5 June 2026 - Deadline for submission of appeals for Barnet community primary schools

July 2026 - Appeal hearings

Preparing to make your application

Before you start making your application

• read our Primary admissions guide (PDF, 4.2 MB) to find out about Barnet schools and the admissions process;  find primary schools in Barnet in the schools directory;

• look at the school priority maps to see the catchment areas for Barnet community primary schools;

• contact the schools you are interested in if you would like to arrange a visit;

• use the guidance notes (PDF 291 KB) to help make your application;

• you will need an email address to make your application;

• you will need to provide proof of your address and your child’s date of birth so have your documents ready.

Apply for a reception school place

Delayed admission

If you are considering delaying your child's admission to school, you must still apply for a school place in their normal year group. 

Read about Deferred entry to Reception for more information on the options available to you.

Your address

You must use your child's permanent address.

Do not use the address of a relative or someone who provides temporary care for your child, a business address or a childminder's address.

A temporary address will not be accepted if you still own a property that was previously used as a home address.

Providing false information to secure a school place is a criminal act.

Please check our Primary admissions guide (PDF, 4.2 MB) for more information about how we determine your home address.

School preferences

When selecting your school preferences, please note that

• you can apply for up to 6 schools;

• you must list the schools in the order you prefer them;

• we recommend you include your local school;

• you can include schools outside Barnet;

• you should check how places were offered this year (PDF, 152 KB) to get an idea as to which schools are likely to offer your child a place.

Evidence to support your application

Proof of address

Put your council tax number on the application form and upload a copy of one of the following:

• tax credit documentation;

• a recent bank statement showing Child Benefit payments;

• utility bill dated within the last 3 months;

• your most recent rent, mortgage statement or tenancy agreement.

If you don’t have a council tax number you must upload two documents from the proof of address list.

Child's date of birth

You will need to provide a copy of your child's short birth certificate or a copy of their passport photo page.

Faith, foundation and academy school applications

Faith schools, some foundation schools and academies will ask you to complete a supplementary information form (SIF) or Certificate of Religious Practice (CRP). These can be downloaded from individual school's websites and should be returned to the school.

Evidence needed for exceptional social or medical reasons

Not all schools give priority on exceptional medical or social grounds.  If you select a school that gives you the option to claim exceptional medical or social priority and you wish to be considered under one of these criteria, you will need to demonstrate a specific connection between your child's needs and the school. You will be asked to provide a written statement from a doctor, social worker or other independent qualified professional.

If you are applying for a priority place at a Barnet community primary school you must also complete the Medical-Social Circumstances Form.

Looked after children and previously looked after children

For children currently in local authority care, you will have to provide evidence of the child's looked after status. This is normally a letter from the social worker.

For children with previously looked after status, you will need to provide evidence confirming your child was in care immediately prior to a child arrangement order, a special guardianship order or formal adoption. You must provide a copy of a letter from a social worker confirming your child was previously in care, as a well as a copy of the order / adoption certificate.

Contact

School admissions
2 Bristol Avenue
Colindale
NW9 4EW

Telephone: 020 8359 7651

Enquiries: Contact us online