UK school admissions explained (Primary, Junior and Secondary) - in plain English

Admissions can feel like a black box because the rules differ by school type - and the language is unnecessarily complicated.

This guide gives you the core structure so you know what matters, what to check next, and where uncertainty often hides.

Step 1: Identify who the admissions authority is

This is the single most important question.

Community schools (often LA admissions)

• ●The local authority usually coordinates the process
• ●Oversubscription often driven by distance and siblings (but check)

Academies and free schools

• ●Many are their own admissions authority
• ●They publish their own admissions policy (often similar to LA rules, but not always)

Faith schools

• ●Often require a Supplementary Information Form (SIF)
• ●Criteria may include evidence of practice and sometimes parish boundaries

The headline label matters less than: who decides and what the criteria are.

Step 2: Understand common oversubscription criteria

Criteria vary, but commonly include:

• ●Looked after / previously looked after children
• ●EHCP naming the school
• ●Siblings already at the school
• ●Distance from home
• ●Faith criteria (for faith schools)
• ●Feeder schools (sometimes)

Your job is simply to find the order and understand what is likely to matter for you.

Step 3: Stage-specific notes

Primary (Reception)

• ●Distance can be decisive in popular areas
• ●Siblings can dramatically change your chances
• ●PAN matters (how many places)

Junior entry (Year 3)

• ●Fewer entry points; places can be limited
• ●Paired infant → junior pathways can affect demand
• ●Check whether linked schools are prioritised

Secondary (Year 7)

• ●Catchment/distance often decisive
• ●Some schools use banding tests or partial selection
• ●Commute becomes far more important than most families expect

Step 4: What you should check for any school

• ●Admissions authority (LA vs school)
• ●PAN (Published Admission Number)
• ●Oversubscription criteria order
• ●How distance is measured (straight line vs walking route)
• ●Any extra forms and deadlines (especially faith schools)
• ●Last offered distance / last offered rank (where available)
• ●In-year admissions process (if you may move)

Step 5: How to reduce uncertainty quickly

• ●Read the admissions policy (you usually only need 1–2 pages)
• ●If it's a faith school, find the SIF early
• ●Ask the school: "In practice, what usually makes the difference - distance, siblings, faith, feeder?"

Transparent schools won't guarantee outcomes, but they will explain typical patterns.