Primary school admission 2026 (main round to reception and year 3, all other applications are called in-year)
Primary admissions 2026
If you have a child born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022 you can apply now to start school September 2026. Apply via the early years and school admissions portal.
It might be helpful to think about the following:
- looking at school websites, see if they have an open evening and try to visit the school, look up information on the Department for Education website
- looking at the primary school admissions booklet for guidance
- using your postcode to find your catchment school
- submitting an application to the Council expressing your preferences.
- applying between 14 September 2025 and 15 January 2026 - apply to Southend-on-Sea City Council if you pay council tax to Southend City.
- looking out for your offer on the National Offer Day: 16 April 2026
For children currently undergoing an education, health and care (EHC) needs assessment and awaiting a decision for an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) we strongly recommend that parents continue to apply for school placements. If an EHCP is agreed upon, it will not affect the final decision regarding the child's placement. However, if parents do not apply on time, and the EHCP is delayed or not agreed upon, it may reduce their ability to choose their preferred school.
For children that already have an EHCP the process would be guided by the EHC Needs Assessment process.
Primary school admissions booklets
- primary school admissions booklet 2026-27
- primary school admissions booklet 2025-26
- guidance for parents/carers for children with SEN
- frequently asked questions
Catchment areas for all schools in Southend
You can find your catchment area by searching our school catchment area directory.
Find out the academic year
| Dates of birth range | 2022/23 | 2023/24 | 2024/25 | 2025/26 | 2026/27 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/09/2007 to 31/08/2008 | Year 10 | Year 11 | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 01/09/2008 to 31/08/2009 | Year 9 | Year 10 | Year 11 | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| 01/09/2009 to 31/08/2010 | Year 8 | Year 9 | Year 10 | Year 11 | Not applicable |
| 01/09/2010 to 31/08/2011 | Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 | Year 10 | Year 11 |
| 01/09/2011 to 31/08/2012 | Year 6 | Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 | Year 10 |
| 01/09/2012 to 31/08/2013 | Year 5 | Year 6 | Year 7 | Year 8 | Year 9 |
| 01/09/2013 to 31/08/2014 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 | Year 7 | Year 8 |
| 01/09/2014 to 31/08/2015 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 | Year 7 |
| 01/09/2015 to 31/08/2016 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 | Year 6 |
| 01/09/2016 to 31/08/2017 | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 | Year 5 |
| 01/09/2017 to 31/08/2018 | REC | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 | Year 4 |
| 01/09/2018 to 31/08/2019 | Not applicable | REC | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
| 01/09/2019 to 31/08/2020 | Not applicable | Not applicable | REC | Year 1 | Year 2 |
| 01/09/2020 to 31/08/2021 | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | REC | Year 1 |
| 01/09/2021 to 31/08/2022 | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | Not applicable | REC |
REC - Start of School: Reception Year