Primary School Admissions

THURSAY 16^th APRIL 2026 – NATIONAL PRIMARY OFFER DAY

Please view your schools on your online portal, you will need to log in to do this. We cannot give out this information via phone or email. If you cannot remember your password, you can reset this on the link given on the page.

If you are unhappy with your allocated school, you can appeal here: School Appeals. This should be completed by 15^thMay 2026.

Waiting list information is available from us after 1^st May 2026. Waiting list allocations are automatic, if you are happy with your allocated school and wish to be removed from a higher preference list please email us at the below. You will be advised of the amendment in school, after this has already taken place.

Statistics for this years allocation and previous years, is available here: School places allocation information - Tameside MBC

Please note, late applications will not receive their school offer on National Offer Day and will be advised of their allocated school by letter once processed.

If you still have any concerns or questions, we are available by phone on 0161 342 4004 or by email schooladmissions@tameside.gov.uk

In Tameside, children start school in the September of the school year in which they become 5 years of age, which means most children are 4 years old when they start school. Children born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022 are eligible to start school in September 2026.

The Starting Out book explains the admission process in detail. It provides advice on what you need to know before you make an application and how places are allocated including the admission policies for each school. We advise that you read this document before submitting your application. For example, some voluntary aided schools ask for additional information to support your application, such as proof of church attendance or a baptismal certificate. Please send this directly to each school as required.

If you are applying for schools outside of Tameside, please check with the individual school or local authority if you are required to provide any additional evidence.

How to Apply for a Primary School Place

Tameside residents should use the Tameside Citizen Portal to apply for a Reception place. You can include schools outside of Tameside on your application. If you do not live within Tameside but wish to apply for a place at a Tameside school, you should apply via your own Local Authority.

Independent/private school admissions are not processed by the Local Authority. For further information about places and admission processes please contact those schools directly.

If your child is starting school for the first time in September 2026 AND you are a Tameside Resident, please use the application portal below.

Apply for a reception 2026 school place here

When You Will be Informed of Your Allocated School

On-time applications - if your application was submitted on or before15^th January 2026, you will be notified of your allocated school, by email, during National Offer Day – 16 April 2026. You will also be able to view your allocated school by logging into your Citizen Portal after midnight on National Offer Day.
Late applications - if your application was submitted after 15^th January 2026, you will receive notification of your allocated school at a later date, by letter. Late allocations are not viewable via the Citizen’s Portal.

Timetable for Applying for a Primary School Place

Date	Detail
01 November 2025	The online admissions system opens for primary school places (Reception 2026).
15 January 2026	Closing date for applications.
22 January 2026	Last date for any changes to the address in your application.
30 January 2026	The online admissions system opens for ‘late’ primary school applications (Reception 2026).
16 April 2026	National Offer Day.

If You Are Not Offered a Place at Your Preferred School

If you have included other schools in your application and they have places available, we will offer your child a place at one of those schools. If it is not possible to allocate a place at any of your preferred schools, the Local Authority will allocate a place at the nearest school to your home address that has a place available.

If you are not offered a place at the school(s) of your choice you will have the right to appeal against the decision. For information on school appeals, please visit our school appeals page here

Please note: your child's name will be automatically placed on waiting lists for schools that you have ranked higher than your allocated school. You will retain the place you have been allocated until you secure a place at an alternative school.
Tameside Primary School Special Circumstances Form

The Starting Out

book also describes what happens after your application is submitted and what to do if you do not get your preferred school place offer on National Offer Day. Furthermore, The “Starting Out 2026 Admissions Arrangements” document details the admissions arrangements in place for all Tameside Primary Schools for 2026.

The Children and Young People’s Partnership Forum have developed some useful advice for parents when their child is making the transition from their early years setting to primary school: moving into primary school from early years settings