Before you apply
If your child is in an infant school
If your child is in year 2 at an Essex infant school, you can apply for a September 2025 year 3 (junior school) place between 4 November 2024 and 15 January 2025.
If you live in the Essex County Council area, but your child is at an infant school outside Essex, you need to contact the school's local authority or speak to your child’s current school to find out how to apply for a year 3 school place.
If your child is in primary school
If your child already attends a primary school and is in year 2 then you do not need to apply because your child’s place will continue into year 3 in September.
Only parents of children in year 2 who attend an infant school need to apply.
If you want your child to start in year 3 at a junior school from September 2025, you need to apply by 15 January 2025.
Some primary schools have different arrangements for year 2 to year 3 transfer, which means you can apply for a year 3 place to these schools in the normal admissions round. The schools are:
- Chigwell Primary School
- Wickford Primary School
Apply for an infant or junior (years 2 to 3) school place
Applications for the 2025 school year are now closed.
If you wish to make a late application for a junior (year 3) school place, use our online late application form.
All applications received after 15 January 2025 will be treated as late and will only be processed after all on-time applications.
You are less likely to get a place at one of your preferred schools if you apply late.
Changing school
If your child is already attending an infant or junior school and you wish to change it , read our information on moving to a different school and access the application form.
View your application
View or change your application via the Essex Education portal.
You cannot change your preferences online after the closing date. If you are changing address, you must email the School Admissions Team with:
- your child’s details
- your new address
- proof of new address which must be:
- a copy of a signed tenancy agreement if you are renting
- a solicitor’s letter confirming you have exchanged contracts if you are purchasing your new home
Offers for school places
Offers will be sent to online applicants by email on 16 April 2025.
From 16 April 2025, if you applied online, you can log into your account to see your allocation.
Find out more about what to do after you get your school offer