Introduction
The online form for starting school applications opened on 26 September 2022
A child can start school in September after they turn 4.
All applications for a starting school place in September 2023 must be made to your home authority – if you are unsure if your child lives in Somerset, you can check whether we are your local authority for school admissions.
If your child is due to start school in September 2023 you are advised to carefully read the Primary Admissions Guide before making your application. This contains everything you need to know in order to make your school place application including information on the different types of schools, published admission numbers and the criteria used to allocate places at schools and academies.
How to get more information
Please read the Primary Admissions Guide before making your application. This contains everything you need to know in order to make your school place application including information on the different types of schools, published admission numbers and the criteria used to allocate places at schools and academies.
SEND information - part of our Local Offer
Starting school or changing schools if your child has an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP)
If your child has an EHCP you do not need to apply for school using the admissions process mentioned above. If your child is known to MAISEY (Multi-Agency Identification and Support in the Early Years), there may be an opportunity for some support with school entry planning from a link MAISEY professional.
A phased transfer process happens when your child is transferring from one school type to another, for example, first school to middle school, primary to secondary or infant to junior. Parents of children who are part of a phased transfer process can discuss the next placement as part of their annual review meeting.
Please see the EHC plan section of the Local Offer for more details.
Orchard Grove Primary School
Orchard Grove Primary School
A new 14 class primary school is to be built in Taunton to serve the new Orchard Grove housing estate (Comeytrowe). The school is due to open in September 2023. (This is conditional on the Secretary of State for Education entering into a funding agreement with the Castle Partnership Trust – a standard formality for new schools).
Due to delays in planning, the building is unlikely to be open in time for September 2023. But the school will open on the Trust’s neighbouring school site at Isambard Kingdom Brunel (IKB) School in Wellington. It will have its own designated area of the school and have its own dedicated teachers and support staff, who will stay with them when they relocate to the brand new school. Supervised home to school transport will be provided. Based on current progress, we anticipate the new school building will be ready for Spring 2024.
The Trust will be holding open days during the Autumn Term and will provide more information about how the host arrangements will work. Please visit the new school’s website for more information.
Applying for a place at Orchard Grove Primary School
For this first year only, The Castle Partnership Trust has to process applications separately from the normal Somerset Council (SC) process for co-ordinating school offers. This means you will need to complete a separate application form for Orchard Grove School as well as your SC application form for other choices of school.
Applications for this school are on the Orchard Grove website and when completed should be sent to Miss J Gregory at the following address – The Castle Partnership Trust, Wellington Road, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 5AU, or email jgregory@castle.somerset.sch.uk
You can find the SC application form on this webpage and it is advised that you choose 3 preferences of school.
Key Dates in the Admissions Process – for September 2023 starters
Admission process opens – 26 September 2022
Closing date for applications – 15 January 2023
National offer day – 17 April 2023
In the unlikely event that The Castle Partnership Trust has not entered into a funding agreement with the Secretary of State for opening Orchard Grove Primary School by the offer date on 17 April, you will receive conditional offers, which will be confirmed once the funding agreement is signed.
Find the admission arrangements for Orchard Grove Primary School.
How to apply
The closing date for primary phase applications was 15 January 2023. Please use the button below to make a late application.
We only offer one school place for each child. If you submit ‘new’ preferences and it becomes possible to offer a place at one of these schools, any place we have offered you previously will be withdrawn.
We only offer one school place for each child. If you submit ‘new’ preferences and it becomes possible to offer a place at one of these schools, any place we have offered you previously will be withdrawn.
Your options when your child starts school
See our Starting school early or late page for information on all the options available for your child when starting school, for example, deferred entry and full and part-time schooling.
How you find out which school you've been offered
If you applied online by 15 January 2023, you will receive an email with the outcome of your application on 17 April 2023. If you applied using a paper application form your outcome will be sent out by second class post on 17 April 2023.
Outcomes will not be given out over the phone or in person at the Council offices.
From 17 April 2023 you can also view the outcome of your application by logging into the online application system.
What happens if you missed the deadline or want to change your preferences after the closing date
It is the parent or carer’s responsibility to make an on-time school place application. If you are making an application after the closing date, it will be classed as late and your application will be considered according to the dates below.
For applications received by 2 May 2023 we will send outcomes the week beginning 5 June 2023. These will be sent by second class post.
Applications received after 2 May 2023 will be processed in strict date order of receipt and outcomes sent out after 5 June 2023. These will be sent by second class post.
Outcomes for late applications for schools in other Local Authorities will be made in line with the outcome dates for that Local Authority.
Outcomes will not be given out over the phone or in person at the Council offices.
Important tips for making your school place application
We would strongly advise that you carefully consider the following when making your school place application.
- It is strongly advised you put 3 school preferences on your form especially if you live in an urban area. You are not given a higher priority for any school by stating it as your only preference and may be more likely to be allocated a school you have not chosen. This could also be some distance from your home address. Although it is unlikely it could even be the case that it is not possible to allocate your child a school place and you need to make a further application in the second round.
- All preferences are considered equally and a place is offered at the highest preference possible.
- If you wish to be considered for your catchment school you must include it as one of your preferences. You can check your school catchment area on a map on the School Catchment page. The map is a representation of the catchment areas and cannot be relied upon for purchasing a property. If you are considering purchasing a property or if you live near a school border then please contact us.
- There are no guarantees that siblings will be allocated the same school when the school is over-subscribed so you are advised to put other preferences, especially if you live outside the catchment area.
- Carefully read the over-subscription criteria for the schools you have chosen.
- If your preferred school requires a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) or further proof (for example, proof of regular church attendance), it is essential that this is sent in with your application form if you would like your child to be considered under the appropriate criterion. You can upload any supporting information, such as a SIF onto your online application. All SIFs can be found on the school website. For Voluntary Controlled schools only, the religious proof SIF is in Downloads.
- If you have recently moved address or are due to move please provide proof of your new address. This can be the ‘exchange of contracts’ letter from the solicitors on a house purchase or a minimum 6 month tenancy agreement.
- You will be responsible for transporting your child to any school you name as a preference unless you have a statutory entitlement.
- Please ensure you fully complete the applicant details section of the application form including supplying a phone number and email address.
Fraudulent school place applications
We thoroughly investigate all potentially fraudulent or misleading applications we are made aware of and welcome information from schools and the public.
If you know or suspect that someone is trying to or has gained a school place fraudulently please let us know. You can send us this information anonymously if you prefer and rest assured that your details will remain completely confidential.
Contact the team
Contact: Admissions and Entitlements Team
Address: County Hall, Taunton, Somerset, TA1 4DY
Email: schooladmissions@somerset.gov.uk
Opening hours: Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5.30pm, Saturday and Sunday closed.
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