Applications are open from today until Thursday, 15 January for parents to submit on-time applications for their child’s reception school place or transfer from infant to junior or primary school.

Parents can apply now if their child turns five between 1 September 2025 and 31 August 2026, or they have a child in year 2 in an infant school.
Applications for September 2026 places are now open for children living in Nottinghamshire.

Nottinghamshire County Council is encouraging parents to research their preferred schools, and whether their child would have a good chance of being offered a place at one of their preferred schools, before submitting their applications.

In the last primary school admission round, nearly 96% of children were offered a reception place at their parents’ first preference school. 
For the best chance of parents being offered a place they are happy with, the council strongly advises them to list four schools and to include schools where their children would meet the higher criteria for admission.

The easiest way to apply for a place is online.

Those who apply online will receive email confirmation that the application has been received. Applying online means that parents can access their school offer on national offer day.

There is no guarantee that a child who attends a school’s nursery will get a place in reception at that same school so parents must apply for a place.

If a child is in year 2 at an infant school, there is no automatic transfer to year 3 at junior or primary.

Councillor Hana John, Cabinet Member for Education and Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) said: “Starting school is a big milestone for a child, and I would encourage parents and carers to research their preferred schools before applying.

“I would also encourage you to use all four preferences and submit the application on time, as that is the best way to give your child a chance at being offered a school that you would be happy for them to attend.”

Parents should apply through Nottinghamshire County Council, even if they wish to apply for schools in other local authority areas.

Those who apply online will be able to log in to their account on National Offer Day on Thursday, 16 April 2026, to view the outcome of their application.  

If parents provide an email address, the outcome will be sent by email from 8.30am on 16 April 2026. All other applications will be sent a letter by second class post on National Offer Day.

Applications received after the closing date are considered as late applications and will be processed once all on-time applications have been offered.

Parents can visit the council’s website www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/admissions for details about the application process, including the ‘Admissions to Schools: Guide for Parents 2026-2027’ which contains lots of useful information and advice.