Primary school admissions

Reception school admissions: starting reception in 2023/24

Pupils usually start primary school in the September following their fourth birthday. If your child was born between 1 September 2018 and 31 August 2019 this will be from September 2023. You must Make an online application for a reception place, even if your child is already attending the school's nursery.

There is no automatic right of transfer from the nursery class to the reception class in the same school, and attending a nursery class does not give any priority for admission to reception class at the same school.

You must apply via the e-admissions portal.

Closing date for making applications is 15 January 2023.

National offer day

All parents that applied for a Reception school place before 15 January 2023 will be sent a letter with the outcome of their application on 17 April 2023. Parents will also be able to view the outcome of their application on the evening of 17 April by visiting the eadmissions portal.

Parents will receive an email to inform them when the information is available to view on the website.

Tower Hamlets Transition Support Service provides information, advice and support around transitions.

Email: transitions@towerhamlets.gov.uk

Tel: 0207 364 1533

Before you apply

The Starting Primary School in Tower Hamlets brochure contains all the information you need on applying for your child's reception place.

Watch a short information film on making your application for a reception place

Parents Advice Session

Join the Admissions Service and the Transitions Team for a parents advice session - reserve your place now (various dates).

How to apply

You must apply online, please visit the eadmissions portal. You can apply online from 1 September 2022.

Applying online for your child's reception place is a simple process and you can easily make changes to your application up until the closing date.

Join the Pupil Services Team and the Transitions Team for an Advice Session - reserve your place now (various dates)

Deferring school entry

All children are expected to start school in the reception year in September, if they will be five in that school year.

Deferring school entry means that a child begins school later than September, but still joins their own age-peer group. Complete deferring school entry form or get a form sent to you by calling Pupil Services

Appeals

If your child is not offered a place at a school of your preference you can appeal against that decision. The appeal panel is independent of the council and schools in the borough.

Infant class size legislation applies to appeals for children starting reception. This means that a class must not contain more than 30 pupils with a single school teacher. Parents should note that there are only very limited circumstances where reception appeals are successful.

If you wish to appeal you must complete and submit your appeal online. This is a simple and safe way to appeal and you will get a receipt to confirm it has been submitted.

Please include any evidence or supporting material with your online appeal and you must give the reasons for your appeal at the time the appeal is submitted. You may appeal for more than one school.

For your appeal to be heard in June 2023 you will need to submit your appeal form by 15 May 2023. Appeals received after this date will result in a delay to your appeal being heard. Please read the appeal timetable 2023 for more information.

Appeals for Canary Wharf College must be made direct with the school - Canary Wharf College Schools website.

Timetable

Last day for lodging appeals for Reception: 4pm, 17 May 2023 (appeals heard after this date may not be heard by then end of the summer term).
Appeals take place: June/July 2023
Letter sent to you giving details about the hearing by the clerk to the Independant Appeals Panel: at least 10 school days before the hearing.
Supporting or additional evidence: at least 5 school days before the hearing - evidence provided on the day of the hearing may not be taken into account.
Letter informing you of the decision from the clerk: where possible 5 school days after the hearing.

Contact the Admissions Service

By email

You can contact the admissions service by email at school.admissions@towerhamlets.gov.uk.

We can only make changes to an existing application if you email your request - this includes change of address and preference/s.

By telephone

Sakib Rahman - 020 7364 4419
Abu Hasan - 020 7364 6824
Kia Wahr - 020 7364 4412
Naheeda Raza - 020 7364 1927