Applications for places in reception class of primary/infant schools for the current school year 2024/25 should now be made by following in-year admission/transfer procedures for Knowsley primary schools.
Late applications for admission to primary school in September 2025 after the national closing date of 15 January
If you live in Knowsley and have not yet applied for your child to start primary education in September 2025, or if you want to make a new application, you can do this by visiting the online application portal, which will remain open until 31 August 2025.
To make a late application you can access the online portal here
Alternatively, contact the school admissions team to request a paper application form.
If you live in another authority area but would like to apply for a place in a Knowsley school, contact your home authority who will co-ordinate your late application.
Some schools require a supplementary information form to be completed in addition to the application form – find more information about this at Supplementary Information Forms | Knowsley Council
Applications received after the allocation process has begun
Applications received after the initial allocation process has begun, will not be considered by the admission authorities of Knowsley schools until the initial allocation process is complete. Only where the admission authority accepts there are exceptional circumstances, will late applications be considered in the initial allocation.
If you believe there are exceptional reasons for your application being late, it is your responsibility to confirm this and provide supporting evidence when you make the application. The deadline for exceptional circumstance consideration for late primary school applications is 17 March 2025, any applications received after this date will not be considered until after the initial allocation is complete (after national offer day).
Change of school preference/s
Up to the national closing date (15 January 2025), online applicants can make changes to their school preferences by logging into their account via the application portal to make the change and resubmit the application. Those who have applied by paper application must contact the school admissions service to request a change of preference.
A change of preference during the allocation period will only be accepted if there are substantial or exceptional reasons, for example a change of address. You should contact Knowsley school admissions service confirming the reasons why a change is being requested and provide evidence of the change of circumstances resulting in a change of preference request, for example proof of exchange of contracts to confirm a house move. The deadline for change of preference due to exceptional circumstance for primary school applications is 17 March 2025, any change requested after this date will not be considered until after the initial allocation is complete (after national offer day).
Making a change to your school preferences after national offer day
Any new application you submit will replace your original/previous application.
If your child has been refused a place at a school/s of preference and you plan to appeal and/or want them to remain on the waiting list, you must still list the school/s as preference on your new application. If you did not previously use all your preference options, you can add new preferences, or remove schools previously named - if you no longer wish to continue with the application to them - and name different schools on your new application.
Any current school offer will not be withdrawn unless a new school offer is being made. You are strongly advised not to refuse a place that has been offered unless you have secured another school place.
Timeframe for considering late applications
- Late/new applications naming Knowsley schools as preference received up to midnight on 30 April 2025 will be considered together and the outcome confirmed within 10 working days.
- Late/new applications received from 1 May will be processed as quickly as possible and outcomes for Knowsley schools issued within 10 working days.
- Late/new applications for Knowsley residents naming schools in other authority areas will be sent to the relevant authority as soon as is practicable and applicants will be informed of outcomes in accordance with the timeframes of that authority.
Other changes of circumstances
It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure the information on the application is correct. If a change takes place after the application is submitted, you should notify the school admissions service without delay as this may affect how the application is considered. A place may be withdrawn if it is offered based on information on the application that is incorrect.
If the change is in relation to information provided on a supplementary information form, you should contact the individual school directly to discuss making a change to the form.
If you are unsure about what is a relevant change, contact Knowsley School Admissions Service for advice.