All children adopted from care (from a local authority in England or Wales) who are of compulsory school age are eligible for admission under Rule 1.
Children in the process of being placed for adoption are classified by law as children looked after, providing there is a Placement Order. The application would be prioritised under Rule 1.
Children who weren't “looked after” immediately before being adopted, or made the subject of a child arrangement order or special guardianship order, will not be prioritised under Rule 1. Applications made for these children, with suitable supporting professional evidence, can be considered under Rule 2.
If your child has a statement of special educational needs or an Education, Health and Care (EHC) plan that names a specific school, your child’s application will be handled by our Special Needs Team.
If you do not hold a full British citizen passport or have a UK passport describing you as a British citizen with the right or abode
Please note that freedom of movement into the UK for European Economic Area and Swiss citizens ended at the end of 2020. EEA (Irish citizens aside) and Swiss national children entering the UK after the end of 2020 are now treated the same as other foreign nationals. This means they will no longer have the right to enter the country to access a state-funded school unless they fall within certain immigration categories.
Check your visa status to ensure your child is entitled to a place in a state school before you apply.
Your child’s application will be assessed based on their date of birth.
If your child is currently being taught in a different year group and you want that to continue, send us supporting evidence from a professional (for example, your child's teacher or Head of Year). This needs to show why your child needs to be educated in a different year group.
We only agree these cases in exceptional circumstances. We can't guarantee to offer your child a place in the same year group and if your request is upheld, there is no guarantee that an offer will be made at the preferred school(s).
Summer born delayed applications (Children born between 1 April – 31 August 2014 for entry into the Reception year group only)
If your child was born 1 April 2014 - 31 August 2014, you may have delayed your child starting school in the Reception year group in their chronological school year group. In other words, instead of your child starting school in the academic year of 2018/19, you are applying for your child to start school in the academic year of 2019/20. If you have delayed entry under the summer born policy and are instead applying for a place in the Reception year group in the academic year 2019/20, please complete an In Year application form. To accompany your application, please e-mail inyear@hertfordshire.gov.uk to confirm the above.