Admissions information

I am looking for a school place for my child, what should I do?
If you are looking for a place during the school year you will need to follow the casual admissions process. 'Casual admissions' is the term used when children seek school places during the academic year.

If you are seeking a place in a Brent primary school for your child you should, in the first instance, contact the Brent School Admissions team.

My child is transferring to secondary school next year, what do I need to do to secure a place?
Your child will need to go through the secondary transfer process which begins at the start of Year 6. This process is co-ordinated across London which means you no longer apply directly to the school. You must apply to the local council in which you are resident.

You will need to complete a Common Application Form (CAF). If you are a Brent resident and your child currently attends a Brent primary school your child will be given an application pack at school.

You can also pick up an application pack from Brent libraries, One Stop shops or directly from the Brent School Admissions team.


My child is transferring to reception, what do I need to do to secure a place?
If your child is currently attending a nursery at a Brent primary school, they will not transfer automatically to reception the following September. You must apply for your child's place.

This process is co-ordinated which means you no longer apply directly to the school. You must apply to the local council that the school's address falls into.

You will need to complete a Common Application Form (CAF). You can pick up an application pack from Brent libraries, One Stop shops or directly from the Brent School Admissions team.

My child is moving from an infant to a junior school next September, what do I need to do to secure a place?
If your child is currently in an infant school, the transfer to the junior school is no longer automatic. You must apply for your child's place. This process is co-ordinated which means you no longer apply directly to the school. You must apply to the local council that the school's address falls into.

You will need to complete a Common Application Form (CAF). If you are a Brent resident and your child currently attends a Brent primary school your child will be given an application pack at school.

You can also pick up an application pack from Brent libraries, One Stop shops or directly from the Brent School Admissions team.

What are co-ordinated admissions?
'Co-ordinated admissions' is the term used for the allocation of school places through one single system, through the local authority. Currently admissions to reception, infants to junior school and secondary transfer are co-ordinated within Brent.

Co-ordinated admissions give you the opportunity to list a number of school preferences on a Common Application Form (CAF). The aim of the process is to offer the highest available preference.

In order to apply, you need to contact the School Admissions team.

What is a Common Application Form (CAF)?
A Common Application Form (CAF) is the application form used to apply for your child's school place. The CAF allows you to list a number of school preferences for your child.

If you are intending to apply to a Voluntary Aided (VA) school you are also required to complete a Supplementary Information Form (SIF). To obtain this form, you will need to contact the school(s) directly.

What is a Supplementary Information Form (SIF)?
If you are applying for a place within a Brent Voluntary Aided (VA) school, you will be required to complete a Supplementary Information Form (SIF), which needs to be completed and returned directly to the school.

The SIF must be completed in addition to the Common Application Form (CAF). If both forms are not completed your application to that particular school may be deemed invalid. This should be returned directly to the school.

Can I select both Brent and out of borough schools on the CAF?
If you are completing a CAF for a secondary place you must apply to your home borough. You can select up to six schools inside or outside of Brent. If you are completing a CAF for a reception or junior school place in Brent you must complete the Brent CAF.

If you wish to apply to a school outside of Brent, you will need to contact the borough in which the school is situated to obtain their CAF.

Am I guaranteed a school of my choice?
No. The law says that parents may express a preference for any school. However, if more parents express a preference for a school than the number of places available, there has to be an order of priority to decide which children to admit.

The law allows parents to appeal to an independent panel if their child is refused a place at a school of their preference.

What if I am not happy with the school I have been offered?
Under the School Standards Framework Act (1998) you have the right to appeal against a decision not to admit your child.

What are casual admissions?
'Casual admissions' is the term used when children seek school places during the academic year.

If you are seeking a place in a Brent primary school for your child you should, in the first instance, contact the School Admissions team team to arrange an appointment.

What are the published schools admissions criteria?
The schools admissions criteria sets out the priority your child's application will be given by the school. These criteria are set by the admissions authority for that school and usually agreed by the chair of governors.

Where are the term dates for this year?
Please visit our term and holiday dates page for further information.

Where can I find out about a school's performance?
Primary school and secondary school inspection reports and plans for Brent are available on the Office for Standards in Education (OFSTED) website.

The league table for primary and secondary schools is available at the DCSF website.

Where can I find out which catchment area I fall into?
The published admissions criteria for community primary schools gives priority to children living within the school catchment area.

This is a designated area within close proximity to the school and does not apply to Voluntary Aided schools, Foundation schools and secondary schools. You can find out which community school catchment area you fall into by visiting the catchment areas page.

Where can I find contact details for Brent Schools?
Contact details for Brent primary and secondary schools can be found in the school contacts area.

Can I apply online?
Yes you have the option of completing the CAF online.

For further queries please contact the Brent School Admissions team.