Reception entry applications

Reception entry applications

Information about your child starting reception.

National Offers Day 16 April 2024:

If you need to contact the School Admissions Team, please do so by email in the first instance.

Our email address is schooladmissions@northumberland.gov.uk

Please refer to our FAQ sheet here.
 

Timetable for first and primary schools 

Wednesday
1 November 2023

Online applications
Online Admissions Portal for First and Primary school admissions will be open on the 1st of November 2023.
https://schadm.northumberland.gov.uk/CitizenPortal_LIVE/en

(You need to register as a new user if you haven't used the Portal before.  If you've forgotten your password, click on forgotten password link) (for late applications see below).  You must complete an application for a place in a Reception class even if your child attends the school nursery or pre-school setting. 

Please be aware there are two school in Ponteland with similar names and addresses.  Ponteland Primary (Pele Trust) and Ponteland Community Primary (previously Ponteland Middle School).  Make sure you are careful about which school you select.

leaflet on how to apply and portal user guidance to help you with your application

Monday
15 January 2024

Closing date for all applications to be received by the Local Authority

Tuesday 16 April 2024

National Offer Day.  E-mails sent to those parents who applied online and who requested to be informed by email. 
Parents who applied on a paper form will have a letter sent out to them today

Wednesday
1 May 2024

Deadline for parents to refuse the school place.

Wednesday 8 May 2024

Any places that become available are allocated in criteria order (on time applicants)

Wednesday
29 May 2024

All remaining places allocated on a first come first serve basis.

Tuesday
31 December 2024

No waiting lists held by the Local Authority after this date.


Frequently asked Questions

All schools and academies in Northumberland must formally agree their admission arrangements for the 2024/25 academic year. Copies of which can be found here under related documents.

If you return your application after 15 January 2024 your application will be considered as late unless exceptional circumstances exist. You should be aware that this will reduce your chance of being allocated a place at your preferred school. 

Parents returning their application after 15 January 2024 must give a reason why their application was late.

If the application is submitted before 14 February 2024, the Admission Authority will consider your reasons and - if they are exceptional - they will consider your application along with those received on time (please ensure you provide supplementary evidence).

Applications which are not deemed to be exceptional will not be processed until after 16 April 2024.  

If you are applying late, the portal will be closed and you will need to complete the form below:

Link to online Schools Application Form

 
Tuesday 16 April 2024 is the national offer day for September 2024 first and primary school places.

Due to the high number of offers, school admissions will be unable to accept all phone calls.
Calls will be managed mainly by the Northumberland Council contact centre staff. 


Please see important information below.

If you applied online you can log on to the Portal on the 16 April and find out the school your child has been offered, you will also receive an email confirming the offer.

If you applied on a paper form you will be informed by letter which will be posted to you on the 16 April 2024 by second class post.

If you are refused a place at your preferred school(s), you will receive a refusal letter posted to you (by second class post) on 16 April 2024. This will contain important information about why you were refused, what the next steps are and how to appeal. It should also tell you where you have been offered a place.

Please do not phone School Admissions.

We will not be able to give you any information over the phone. 


If you have any further queries you can email School Admissions at schooladmissions@northumberland.gov.uk.

Due to the high volume of emails we receive during this time, it may take up to 10 working days to respond to your email.