Now’s the time to start thinking about September 2024 primary school choices

Parents whose children will begin attending primary school next September are being encouraged to get their applications for a school place in on time. 

This crucial deadline is Monday, 15 January. This date applies to all children born between 1 September, 2019 and 31 August, 2020.  
 
Lots of useful information about how the admissions system works is available on the council’s website including the latest copy of Choose a Wandsworth Primary School – a helpful brochure specially produced to offer parents a step-by-step guide through the whole process. 

Parents can apply for a place at up to six state-run primary schools listing each one in order of preference. These schools can either be in Wandsworth or another borough, but wherever these schools are, parents must submit their applications to their own local council.

Once they have made their choices, the easiest way to apply for a school place is to do it online. Alternatively a paper application can be downloaded from the website and printed off. People who choose to submit a paper application must ensure it reaches the town hall in time for January’s deadline. 

Anyone who wishes to apply for a place at a church or faith school will need to study that school’s admission criteria carefully to make sure they would be eligible for a place.   

And parents are being reminded that even if their children are already enrolled in a nursery class at a local primary school, they must still apply for a place in a reception class. Attending a nursery class does not automatically mean their child will be eligible for a place in the reception class or that they will be offered a place at the same school.

Nearly every child being taught in a Wandsworth primary school is attending either a good or an outstanding one, according to education standards watchdog Ofsted. Currently 95 per cent of Wandsworth’s primary schools are classed as either good or outstanding. 

Parents who apply online or provide an email address on their paper application will be informed the outcome of their applications on Tuesday, 16 April.

Cabinet member for education Cllr Kate Stock said: “With 95 per cent of our primary schools rated good or outstanding, parents have a great variety of schools to choose from in Wandsworth. 

“To help parents make their choices we have produced a helpful brochure that contains key information about each individual school and gives a straightforward step-by-step guide to the whole admissions process.
 
“We are proud to have 61 state funded primary schools that deliver high quality inclusive teaching and learning that supports every child in achieving their full potential."

For more information, help and advice visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk/admissions or contact the Pupil Services team by emailing admissions@wandsworth.gov.uk or calling (020) 8871 7316.