Starting school is a major step in young children’s lives. This site aims to help you through the process of obtaining a school place in a Wiltshire school and suggests some action points to follow.
When can my child start?
- In Wiltshire most children can start school in the September following their 4th birthday.
- A child does not have to start school until the term following their 5th birthday.
- If you want to defer your child's entry to school, the school should hold a place open for your child to start in the Spring or Summer Term.
- If you want to defer until the September following your child's 5th birthday you will need to re-apply to the school, and your child would start in a Year 1 class, not in a Reception class.
In most schools children initially attend part-time; most summer born children (those born between April 1st and August 31st) will attend part-time for at least a term.
Which school can my child attend?
- Your child has no automatic right of entry to any school, you must complete a Wiltshire County council application form.
- It is likely that your child will be able to attend his or her local school as long as you have submitted an application by the deadline date.
- You can choose up to three schools in priority order on the application form.
- You can give reasons for your first choice, such as your preference for a faith school or wanting your child to be at the same school as his brothers or sisters.
- Some denominational and faith schools give priority to children of that faith or denomination.
You have the right of appeal if your child is refused a place at the school or your choice.
How do I make a choice?
Ask your preferred school(s) to send their:
- Prospectus
- OFSTED summary report (also available at www.ofsted.gov.uk)
- Governors' Annual Report
Ask other parents about their experience of school(s). Think about travel implications. Find out what childcare will be available before and after school.
Arrange visits to your preferred school(s). Try to visit when the children are there.
Questions to ask might include:
- How are the records from my child's pre-school or nursery used?
- What are the starting arrangements?
- How is communication between parents and teachers encouraged?
- How many adults will there be in the class?
- What will my child do in a typical day?
- How are break/lunch times organised?
- Will there be opportunities to help in the classroom?
- How will the school report on my child's progress and let me know about any concerns?
- What help can I give my child at home?
- With whom can I discuss my child's special educational needs?
Details of all primary schools in Wiltshire are in the booklet ‘Finding a Primary School Place'.
This is available from ask or Wiltshire County Council.
Full details of schools' performance, past and present, can be found in the Achievement and Attainment Tables (league tables) produced by the government.
School inspection reports are available from Ofsted.
What are the different types of school?
Within Wiltshire there are 5 different types of school: community, voluntary controlled, voluntary aided, foundation and independent (fee paying).
Community schools are maintained by the Local Authority (LA). The LA have the main responsibility for deciding admission arrangements. There are also Community Special schools which cater for some children with additional needs.
Voluntary controlled schools are maintained by the LA and with a foundation, usually religious, that appoints some of the school governors. The LA have the main responsibility for deciding admission arrangements.
Voluntary aided schools are maintained by the LA with a foundation, usually religious, that appoints most of the school governors. The governing body has the main responsibility for deciding admission arrangements i.e. writing the admissions policy and ranking applications.
Foundation schools are maintained by the LA and the governing body is responsible for running the school. The governing body has responsibility for deciding admissions arrangements i.e. writing the admissions policy and ranking applications.
Independent schools are private, fee paying schools where school governors decide the admission arrangements and parents apply directly to the school. Details of independent schools in the south west can be found at www.iscis-sw.co.uk
Wiltshire County Council is responsible for co-ordinating admissions for the Community, Voluntary controlled, Voluntary aided and Foundation schools so all applications have to be made to Wiltshire County Council.
Where can I get an application form?
Forms are available from:
You can also apply online at www.wiltshire.gov.uk (from September until the November deadline)
When should I apply?
Forms should be sent, or an online application made, to Wiltshire County Council by the autumn deadline date for children starting school in the following school year i.e. starting in September or deferring until January or April.
If for any reason you have missed this deadline contact ask or Wiltshire County Council for further information as soon as possible.
What if I am moving into the area?
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If your child is due to start school for the first time you will need to apply as normal.
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If your child is already going to school you should apply directly to your preferred school. (This does not guarantee that a place will be available.)
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Forces families should contact Wiltshire County Council's Customer Care Team on +44 (0)1225 713000 or admissions@wiltshire.gov.uk as soon as you have a posting notice.
Children with Disabilities or Special Educational Needs (SEN)
If your child has a Statement of Special Educational Need, you will be offered a place at the school named on the statement and you do not need to fill in a school application form.
If your child does not have a statement you should explain your child’s needs when you ring or visit and ask how the school will support those needs. All schools have a SENCO (Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator) with whom you can discuss your child’s needs.
ACTION: Talk to schools about any additional needs your child may have.
ACTION: Contact the Special Educational Needs Support Service (SENSS) at ask if you require advice or support.
Other Common Issues
- Children who attend nursery classes attached to schools do not automatically transfer into the school. You have to apply for a place in the normal way.
- If you want to apply for a school place during the year, either because you have moved to the area or you wish to transfer schools, you should complete a common transfer application form and send it to your preferred school.
- You can apply for a place in a Wiltshire school even if you do not live in the county. Check with your local authority about their arrangements and deadline.
- Parents who move into the area have to make an application in the same way as Wiltshire residents.
