Applying for a school place in-year

In-year admissions

Sometimes you need to apply for a place for your child at a school outside of the normal admission times. This is known as an in-year admission.

The reason for an in-year admission could be:

  • you have arrived in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea or Westminster from another part of the country or abroad

The normal admission rounds are:

  • primary reception: when starting statutory schooling for the first time
  • primary to secondary transfer: children currently in Year 6

If your child is already in school and you are thinking of transferring him/her to another school, you must be aware that places are already allocated and availability will be limited. This is very important if your child is in Year 6 of primary school or Year 10 or 11 when a move at this stage of their education is highly discouraged and should only be considered if your circumstances are exceptional.

In-year coordinated process

The in-year coordinated process sets out the arrangements for schools that have agreed to participate. The Council’s Admissions Team will process all applications and will notify the outcome on behalf of schools. 

Read the In-year Coordinated Admissions document:

Before you complete your application

Not all schools participate in the Council’s coordinated admissions process which means they do not appear in the school option drop down list. 

The following schools manage their own in-year admissions. Please visit their website to find out how to apply.

Kensington and Chelsea schools

Primary schools 

Secondary schools

Westminster schools

Primary schools

Secondary schools

Apply for a school place

Apply now

The rights of foreign nationals to access schools in England

The government provides guidance to parents, schools and local authorities on the rights of foreign nationals to access school in England.  

Visit the GOV.UK website for information and advice on School applications for foreign national children and children resident outside England.

It provides advice on:

  • eligibility to enter the country to access a school
  • requirements for admission authorities in processing applications (for example, requirements within the School Admissions Code and the law)
  • advice on processing applications made from those living outside England but returning to live in England.

Further information

If you need a paper application form or further guidance, please contact the Admissions Team on:

Admissions and access to Education Service: privacy notice

Read the Privacy notice for Admissions and access to education.

Last updated: 3 January 2024