Changing schools or new to Wakefield (In year application)

If you want your child to move to a different school in Wakefield, you need to make an In Year application.

This also applies if you are new to Wakefield and need a school place.

You should not use an In Year application if your child is starting a new stage of education in September. This type of application is called a bulk application.  More information is available using the following links:

• apply for a secondary school place - Wakefield Council
• apply to transfer from Year 2 in an infant school to a junior or primary school - Wakefield Council
• apply for a full-time place in Reception - Wakefield Council

Before requesting an application form, you should read the information below

You can apply for a place at any mainstream school in the Wakefield district that covers your child’s age group.

When you apply:

• you can list up to five schools
• put them in priority order (your favourite first)
• it is best to apply for more than one school.  This does not affect your chances of being offered your first preference
• check the school’s admissions policy on their website

Helpful links:

• find a school - Wakefield Council
• find your catchment school - Wakefield Council
• understand admissions policies - Wakefield Council

Some schools need extra information.  If you apply for a place at one of the schools below, you should also contact the school to request a Supplementary Information Form (SIF). You should return this to the relevant school, not the Admissions Team:

• English Martyrs Catholic Primary
• St Austin’s Catholic Primary
• St Ignatius Catholic Primary
• Holy Family & St Michael’s Catholic Primary
• Sacred Heart Catholic Primary
• St John the Baptist Catholic Primary
• St Joseph’s Catholic Primary, Castleford
• St Joseph’s Catholic Primary, Moorthorpe
• St Joseph’s Catholic Primary, Pontefract
• Alverthorpe St Paul’s CE (VA) 3-11 Years
• Wakefield St John’s CE (VA) J&I
• Wakefield St Mary’s CE (VA) Primary (J&I)
• Ossett Holy Trinity CE (VA) Primary
• St Giles CE Academy
• St Helen’s CE Primary
• Featherstone All Saints CofE Academy
• Normanton All Saints CE (VA) Infant
• St Wilfrid’s Catholic High School
• St Thomas à Becket Catholic College
• Trinity Academy Cathedral (Year 7 only) – this school operates Fair Banding for Year 7 pupils and you should contact the school to ensure your child is placed in a band

To apply to a school outside the Wakefield district, you must contact the Local Authority for that area.

Completing your application

You must:

• complete all sections in Part A
• ask your child’s current or previous school to complete Part B

To avoid delays, ensure both parts are fully completed and returned to School Admissions.

Things to consider

Changing schools can be disruptive and may affect your child’s education.

Unless you have moved house, you should try to resolve any concerns with your child’s current school.

You can discuss issues with school staff or a member of the governing body.

How applications are processed

• the School Admissions Team will contact your preference schools to check availability
• applications are considered alongside others using the oversubscription criteria
• aplace will be offered at the highest preference school possible

If the year group is full:

• the preference will be rejected, and your child will be placed on a waiting list for the rest of the academic year
• you will be contacted if a place becomes available that can be offered to your child
• you have the right to appeal the decision - Information about appealing

If you have moved house and your child cannot stay at their previous school, you will be offered a place at the nearest school with a space.

After you apply

• it usually takes about 15 school days to process your application. (This does not include school holidays)
• you will be notified of the outcome by email or letter
• once a place is offered, your child should start within 10 school days

Until a school place has been confirmed, your child must continue attending their current school.

In Year applications for September entry will not be processed until after May half term.  Please do not apply before then.

Next steps