Make an in-year application
You will need to make an in-year school application if:
- your child lives in Brent and does not currently have a school place
- you have a school place but wish to transfer to a school in Brent
- you have recently arrived in Brent and you have school aged children.
If your child is already in school and you are thinking about a transfer to another school, you will need to be aware that many schools will already be full. It is advised that you avoid changing school when your child is in Year 6 of primary school or Year 10 or 11 of secondary school. This is an important time in your child’s education so you should only consider moving school if there is very good reason to do so.
You can apply to us for schools located in Brent. For some schools you will need to apply direct. These will be listed in the guidance notes below.
Please read the guidance notes for in-year primary applicationsor in-year secondary applications before you apply.
Please note: There is a different application process if you need to make an application for starting primary, junior or secondary school in September 2022.
If you made an in year application in 2020/21 and want to remain on a waiting list into the new academic year starting in September 2021, you must complete a new in-year online application for the 2021/22 academic year.
Waiting lists for Brent schools will be refreshed for the start of each academic year. This will affect Brent schools for whom the local authority coordinates In Year applications. To ensure that your child remains on the waiting list and in consideration after the end of term you must make a separate 2021/22 In Year application online. In Year applications for 2022/23 will open on Monday 4 July 2022. The local authority will not contact you again to remind you to reapply.
Check your waiting list position
If you have submitted an application for an in-year school place you will be able to check your waiting list positions for community primary schools by using the unique application reference number that is shown at the top of your acknowledgement letter (304-20XX-XX-X-XXXXXX) and your child's date of birth.
We are only able to provide waiting list positions for community primary schools. If you would like to check your waiting list position for Academies, Foundation, Voluntary Aided or Free schools (including all secondary schools) you will need to contact the school directly.
Changing an existing application
It is no longer possible to make changes to an existing application for the 2020/21 academic year. You will be able to submit a new In-Year application for the 2021/22 academic year, from this page, from Monday 5 July 2021
The application process
Due to the high demand for school places in Brent, if we are able to offer you a place at your preferred school, your child must start as soon as possible.
You can choose up to six school preferences. You must list them in the order you want them. If we can offer you more than one school we will make only one offer at the highest-ranked of these school.
It will normally take up to 20 working days to process your application and at busy times of year it may take longer. If you have not had a letter advising you of the outcome of your application after 20 working days please email school.admissions@brent.gov.uk for an update.
If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan you must contact the Special Educational Needs Assessment Service (SENAS) directly on 020 8937 3229.
For a school place at an independent or private school, you will need to apply directly to the school(s) you are interested in. More information can be obtained from the Independent Schools Council (ISC).
You will need to check whether you need to complete a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) for the school/s you apply for. All voluntary aided (faith) schools need a SIF which must be returned to the school. Find the SIF for the school you want to apply for.
The address used to process the application will be the address where the parent and child normally live and they must be living there at the time of application. Changes of address will only be considered after applicants are resident at the new address and evidence to demonstrate this has been supplied. Applications will not be processed from an intended future address except in the case of Crown servants and UK service personnel.
You should only make an application if you will be able to take up the offer of a place immediately.
Admission of one child to a primary school does not give a right of admission for brothers or sisters, if places are not available for all at the same time.
We operate an 'In Year Fair Access Protocol'. This means that children who do not have a school place are prioritised over children waiting to transfer between schools. Children who are removed from school purely to secure another school place will not be prioritised under the protocol.
If a school that you have requested is not able to offer a place and your child/children are out of school, we will try to offer you a place at the nearest school to your home with a vacancy at the time. This may not be the school nearest to your home. However if we offer you a school place (even when it was not one of your preferred schools) your application will not automatically be included on any waiting lists and you must request to remain on waiting lists by completing the change of circumstances form on the Brent website at submit your changes online It is important that you let us know immediately if any details of your application have changed (e.g. your address)
Waiting list positions can move up and down and are not related to the date of application or how long the child has been on the list. Waiting lists are ranked in accordance with the school’s oversubscription criteria. Waiting lists for Brent schools will be refreshed for the start of each academic year. This will affect Brent schools for whom the local authority coordinates In Year applications.
Waiting lists are ranked in the priority given in the admissions arrangements. Places are offered from the waiting lists as they become available throughout the year.
It is our responsibility to provide your child with a suitable school place within a reasonable distance from your home. Please note that this may not be one of your preferred schools.
If you would like your child to attend a school outside London Borough of Brent, you will need to contact the borough the school is located in.
Appeals
You have the right of appeal for a place at any school you listed on your application. You are strongly advised to accept a place at an alternative school in the meantime. This will ensure that your child will have a school place if your appeal is unsuccessful. The outcome of your appeal will not be affected by accepting a place at another school.