When do we find out primary school places? Date 2022 admissions are announced - and how parents can appeal

Parents across all four UK nations will soon discover what primary school their children will be attending.

The renowned day, known as National Offer day, will notify parents whether their children will be going to their preferred schools.

But when is National Offer Day across all four nations, and what can you do if you are unhappy and want to appeal the decision?

Here’s what you need to know.

When are the National Offer Days for primary schools? 

In Wales, National Offer Day is 19 April 2022. Parents have until Wednesday 4 May 2022 to accept or decline the offer.

In England, local councils will confirm primary school places on Tuesday 19 April 2022 via email, letter or through an online portal.

Usually, the English National Offer Day is 16 April, however, this falls on a Saturday and so the government releases the results the next working day, but due to the Easter bank holiday, the next working day is 19 April.

In Northern Ireland, parents will receive notifications of their P1 applications via the online portal on Thursday 28 April 2022.

In Scotland, you don’t decide where your child goes to school, as it’s your local council’s choice, but if you’re unhappy with the choice, you can always request another school but this is depends on any free places.

How will you find out primary school offers? 

Across the nation, application deadlines to choose a primary school for your children are usually in January.

In Wales, the deadline for primary school places was 15 January 2022. Applications are made online and will need to be done through your local council.

GOV.UK provides a navigation tool that helps parents successfully place applications to their chosen school.

In England, applications must be made through the local council, even if you’re applying for schools in another council area.

The application form can be done online or via a paper form, and you’ll be asked to list the schools you’re applying for in order of preference.

However, application open days are different in each local council so it’s vital to check with them when applications open, but they close on 15 January.

You will need to apply before your child can start school, and when they are three years old or have just turned four years old.

In Scotland, in the year before your child goes to primary school some councils send a letter to confirm your child has a place at a local school. In councils that don’t send letters, you’ll need to enroll your child at school in the year before they’re due to start.

In Northern Ireland, you can apply online for your child’s first-year place at primary school (P1). The online citizen portal closed at 12 pm on 28 January 2022.

The application procedure or P1 is available on the Education Authority Website. Parents can log in and find out the outcome of their applications.

How to appeal primary school placements

In England, parents can appeal a decision made by the schools. The admissions authority for the school must allow at least 20 school days to appeal from when they send a decision letter.

To prepare for your hearing, the admission authority must give you at least 10 school days’ notice of the hearing and appeals must be heard within 40 school days of the deadline for making an appeal.

In Wales, if you have not been offered a place at your chosen school, you have the right to appeal to an independent appeals panel. The panel will consider your case for your child attending, and the admission authority’s case for turning down your application.

The appeals panel will be responsible for making the final decision.

In Northern Ireland, you can appeal the decision made by going to the EA website where you can send an AT1 Form. It will then be seen by an independent Admissions Appeal tribunal and the EA will tell you when your appeal will be heard.

In Scotland, appeals are made to the local council. Councils have their own rules for appeals so checking with your own local council is vital.