Admissions
When Children Can Start Primary School
Children can start reception year at a primary school from the September after their fourth birthday. However, by law children don’t have to start school until the beginning of the term after their fifth birthday.
Earlier starts will be considered in very exceptional cases or circumstances. Parents must provide evidence of an exceptional or substantial need for this to happen.
Appeals Timetables
Blackpool Primary School Appeals 2025
| By Friday 09 May 2025 | Appeal forms to be received by Democratic Services, in order for the appeals to be heard in the first round of hearings. Appeal forms can be submitted after this deadline but the hearing will not be held until later in the year. |
| By Friday 16 May 2025 | Any additional documents that parents/carers wish to provide (ie. medical evidence) should be sent to Democratic Services. |
| By Friday 30 May 2025 | Notification of appeal hearings will be sent to parents/carers. |
| By Friday 11 July 2025 | Appeals that have been submitted by 9 May 2025 will be heard by Independent Appeals Panels. |
Blackpool Secondary School Appeals 2025
| By Friday 11 April 2025 | Appeal forms to be received by Democratic Services, in order for the appeals to be heard in the first round of hearings. Appeal forms can be submitted after this deadline but the hearing will not be held until later in the year. |
| By Friday 09 May 2025 | Any additional documents that parents/carers wish to provide, ie. medical evidence, should be sent to Democratic Services. |
| By Friday 16 May 2025 | Notification of appeal hearings will be sent to parents/carers. |
| By Friday 27 June 2025 | Appeals that have been submitted by 11 April 2025 will be heard by Independent Appeals Panels. |
Applying for a Place
The closing date of the 15th January 2025 has now passed, it is not possible to apply for a primary 2025 reception place using the portal.
You can still apply for a 2025 reception place using a paper application form, please contact schoolaccess@blackpool.gov.uk or telephone 01253 476637.
For further information on the whole admission process, visit the Blackpool Council School Admissions website.
You must apply using the link below if you live in Wyre and Fylde ( if you pay your council tax to Wyre or receive housing benefit from Wyre).
The deadline to apply for a primary school place for September 2025 has now passed. Any applications received after the deadline will be classed as late.
On-line is now the main means of applying for school and academy places (95%+ for September 2021 intakes). Where there are reasons for a paper application being required parents may contact the Area Pupil Access Team or the Central Team direct.
Pupil Access (North) Lancaster, Morecambe, Wyre and Fylde – James, Stacey-Jane or Phil telephone 01524 581148 (Primary /Secondary).
For further information on the whole admission process, visit the Lancashire County Council School Admissions website.
Usual Starting Dates
| Child born between | Starts primary school | Apply between |
|---|---|---|
| 1 September 2020 – 31 August 2021 | September 2025 | September 2024 – January 2025 |
| 1 September 2021 – 31 August 2022 | September 2026 | September 2025 – January 2026 |
| 1 September 2022 – 31 August 2023 | September 2027 | September 2026 – January 2027 |
| 1 September 2023 – 31 August 2024 | September 2028 | September 2027 – January 2028 |
Important Information
Children who attend a nursery that is attached to a school or academy do not automatically move into reception.
Attendance at a nursery is not taken into consideration when places in the reception classes are being allocating.
You can find the criteria that is used for allocating places in reception classes in our Admissions Policy.
If you require a paper copy of the Admission Policy; please contact the school office on 01253 855215 and we shall provide this free of charge.