School admissions criteria

Admissions criteria for schools in Brent

Overview

All schools must determine a set of rules - known as oversubscription or admissions criteria - which are used to determine the applications that will have priority for the available places.

You should read the admission criteria for your preferred schools to figure out the criterion under which your application will be considered.

It can be useful to look at statistics (like the furthest distance from school that a place was last offered) to determine how likely your application is to be successful.

See information about offers in 2025

Brent Council is the Admission Authority for its Community Primary Schools, and is responsible for formally agreeing the admissions criteria for these schools. We also publish a 'Scheme of Co-ordination' which explains how the council will co-ordinate all applications received for children applying to start primary or secondary school at the beginning of September. Admission arrangements and oversubscription criteria for voluntary aided (faith), foundation schools and academies are also available on this page.

You can see the admissions criteria for every state school in Brent by clicking on the Contents headings above. These links will take you to each schools’ website. If you would like a copy of the admission arrangements or a school’s supplementary information form, these are available on request to 020 8937 3110 or school.admissions@brent.gov.uk, or by contacting each school directly.

Admissions criteria for schools in Brent

When there are more applications for Brent community schools than there are places available, pupils are offered places according to the oversubscription criteria listed below. Children with special educational needs (SEN) who have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) have priority over other applicants for admission to the school named on their plan. Read more about the school application process for children with SEN.

The oversubscription criteria for entry to Brent community schools in 2025-26 are:

1. Looked after or previously looked after children

A looked after child or a previously looked after child, including those children who appear to have been in state care outside of England and ceased to be in state care as a result of being adopted.

2. Children attending infant school

Children attending an infant school on the same site as a junior school (for applications to Mount Stewart and Roe Green junior schools only).

3. Medical or social needs

Exceptional circumstances to do with significant medical needs and/or social needs which necessitate a child's placement at one particular school.

4. Children of staff

Children whose parent is a member of staff who has been employed at the school for two or more years at the time of application or has been recruited to fill a vacancy for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage.

5. Siblings

Brothers or sisters of a child who attends the school, or an infant or junior school on the same or adjoining site and who will continue to do so on the date of admission.

6. All other applicants

Tie break

Within each criterion, priority will be given to children that live closest to the school.

The distance from home to school will be measured by a straight line, from a point in the property to a point in the school determined by the grid references set by the Ordnance Survey.

The measuring system is an integral part of the admission software, uses Ordnance Survey maps and the LLPG (Local Land Property Gazetteer) and is accurate to 1 metre.

Full admission arrangements and schemes of co-ordination

The following admission arrangements will apply for applications to Community Schools during Reception and Junior Allocation for September 2025. The schemes of co-ordination set out how the Local Authority will co-ordinate arrangements for the admission of children to maintained primary and secondary schools and academies at the normal point of entry (Reception, Year 3, Year 7 and Year 10).

Determined Brent Community School Admissions Arrangements for 2025 to 2026

The following admission arrangements will apply for applications to Community Schools during Reception and Junior Allocation for September 2026. The schemes of co-ordination set out how the Local Authority will co-ordinate arrangements for the admission of children to maintained primary and secondary schools and academies at the normal point of entry (Reception, Year 3, Year 7 and Year 10).

Determined Brent Community School Admissions Arrangements for 2026/27

The following admission arrangements will apply for applications to Community Schools during Reception and Junior Allocation for September 2027. The schemes of co-ordination set out how the Local Authority will co-ordinate arrangements for the admission of children to maintained primary and secondary schools and academies at the normal points of entry (Reception, Year 3, Year 7 and Year 10).