Applying
I would like to know which is my catchment school
You can find out which school your address is linked to by checking the School catchment area. We recommend applying to your catchment school.
I have moved in, or I am moving in and would like to know the schools in the area
If you have just moved or are about to move and want to know which schools are nearby, please see our Find a school page.
I am moving to a different Local Authority and need to change my child’s school
Apply directly to the Local Authority or the preferred school.
I would like to know the eligibility criteria for school transport
The criteria for school transport can be found on our Apply for school travel assistance page.
I need help with my school admission
The Somerset Choice Advice Service is a free, impartial service to help families with school admissions and appeals. For more information please visit the Choice Advice website.
I have moved or I am moving and would like to know what proof of address are considered suitable
If you have moved or are moving and need to show proof of your address, you can use one of the following:
- a letter or email from your solicitor confirming you have exchanged contracts
- a signed tenancy agreement for at least six months
- a recent utility bill in your name
I would like to know how to dual register my traveller child
Please use the in-year application form and state dual registration with details of the other school the child attends. You can find the form on our In-year school admissions page.
I applied for a school place and would like confirmation this has been received
If you have applied for a school place and want to check it has been received:
- Applications made on the Citizen Portal – You can log in to see if your application was submitted. You will also get a confirmation email.
- For late applications – You will get a confirmation email after submitting.
- For in-year applications – Send your form directly to the school you want. The school will manage your application and let you know the result. You will not hear back from the local authority for these.
I have changed my mind about my preferences on a school application and the Portal has closed
If you want to change your school choices after the Portal has closed, you will need to make a late application with your updated preferences.
- For primary schools: See Apply to start school for the first time.
- For secondary schools: See Starting at a secondary or upper school in September
I would like to home educate my child
For information about home education, see our Somerset elective home education page.
Outcomes
I have received an outcome, and I am happy with the outcome
You do not need to confirm acceptance of the school place in Somerset. If the school place has been allocated by another Local Authority, check with them to see if you need to accept it.
It is outcome day and I have not received an outcome
You can check the portal to see your results. Parent Carers will also get an email, but these are sent out in batches, so it might take a while to arrive. Use the Citizen Portal – Sign in.
If you have forgotten your password, try resetting it through the portal. If that does not work, email schooladmissions@somerset.gov.uk and someone can reset it for you. Please note we cannot offer this service on outcome day.
If your email address has changed, you can still use your old email and password to log in and see your outcome. If you are having problems with the portal, email schooladmissions@somerset.gov.uk and they will send your outcome by post.
If you chose to get your outcome by post, letters will be sent on outcome day by second class post. Outcomes cannot be given over the phone.
I share 50/50 custody with my ex-partner and have not received an outcome
Outcomes will only be issued to the parent carer who made the initial application.
I submitted an in-year application, and would like to know when I will hear the outcome
In year applications are submitted to the school of choice for them to process. This can take up to 15 school days to be completed and provide you with an outcome.
My child is on the waitlist, and I want to know their position
If your child is on a waiting list for a school that has too many applicants, their name will stay on that list until at least 31 December 2025 or longer depending on the admissions authority. Your child will stay on the waiting list even if you apply to other schools or appeal another decision. If a place becomes available, it will be offered to the highest-ranked child on the waiting list. The waiting list includes everyone who applied on time as well as those who applied later.
Make sure to tell us in writing about any changes in your circumstances, like moving house, so your child is put in the right spot on the list.
If a place becomes available for your child and you accept it, your child will be removed from the waiting list of any lower-preference schools you were previously refused.
Refusing a place and appeals
I would like to know the process of refusing a school space
Rejecting the offer will mean that a place will not be held for your child and may be offered to another applicant. If you reject a school place, we strongly encourage you to submit new preferences or go on to waiting lists.
- To submit a new preference for primary school see our Apply to start school for the first time page.
- To submit a new preference for secondary school see our Starting at a secondary or upper school in September page.
We will not automatically give you another school place unless you send us a new application. Once we have offered a place, our statutory duty is met, and it is the parent or guardian’s responsibility to make sure that their child is in receipt of education.
You may decide to turn down the place offered and make your own arrangements for your child’s education. For example, your child may have been offered a place at an independent school, or you may decide that you want to educate your child at home.
I received my outcome, and my child has not been given their preferred school
If you get your outcome and your child has not been given a place at the school you wanted, you can appeal the decision—see our Refused a place at your preferred school page.
You can also send in a late application with new preferences if you want to try for different schools:
- For primary school, see Apply to start school for the first time
- For secondary school, see Starting at a secondary or upper school in September
I need help with my appeal
The Somerset Choice Advice Service is a free, impartial service to help families with school admissions and appeals. For more information please visit the Choice Advice website.
I submitted an appeal and would like to understand the process
If you have sent in an appeal and want to know what happens next:
- For appeals during the school year, see: Appeal an In-Year school admissions refusal
- For primary or secondary school appeals, see: Refused a place at your preferred school
There is also a School Appeals parent guide on our website that may help.
If this is the case, please email schooladmissions@somerset.gov.uk