How to move your child from the primary, infant, junior or secondary school they go to now to a different one or you are new to the area and need a school place for your child.
Do not visit the school without a pre-arranged appointment.
The school your child has been offered a place at will contact you by telephone, or email, to arrange your child's start date.
Moving your child from their current school to another school happens outside of the normal admissions process.
You should speak to your current headteacher before deciding to change your child's school, especially if your child is in secondary school where a move may disrupt their studies and exam results.
Before you make an application we recommend you visit the school you want your child to go to and discuss a change of school with the Head Teacher.
Read your preferred school(s) admissions policy on the school website to find out about allocation of places, waiting lists and appeal procedure.
This will help you decide if the school is the most appropriate school for your child.
Change of address
If you've changed your address see in year admission change of address.
Supporting documents
For primary schools you may be asked to provide primary school documentary evidence to confirm your home address or a sibling link .
For secondary schools you may be asked to provide secondary school documentary evidence to confirm your home address or a sibling link.
Apply to change schools or you are new to the area and need a school place for your child
The way that you apply depends on the school.
If the school processes their own in year applications you need to contact them directly.
For schools where we process in year admissions you can apply below.
Applications for a school place in a current year group at most secondary schools in Bristol must be made directly to the school. Contact the school you wish your child to attend to make an application.
If after 10 school days' you have either not received a response to your application or you have not received an offer of a place email childrenmissingeducation@bristol.gov.uk if you live in Bristol and:
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your child is not currently on roll at a Bristol school or receiving elective home education
-
your child has been out of school for more than nine school days
-
you applied directly to a school and were told there are no places in the appropriate year group
Apply below for in year admission for Ashton Park School, Cotham School and Redland Green School.
We'll let you know the outcome of your in year school application within 15 school days from the date we receive the application.
Although, we aim to respond to applications within 10 school days.
To help us achieve this response time, we're unable to discuss the progress of your in-year school application, before the outcome of the application has been received.
Once you receive the outcome of your application in writing, you can discuss the application further by calling 0117 903 7694 or email school.admissions@bristol.gov.uk
See our pdf in year admissions cycle sheet (190 KB) for information on the admissions cycle for community schools/schools we process in year admissions for.
How to apply
Online
If you made an online school application before September 2018 you'll need to register again before making an application. This is because of a change in online provider.
Other ways to apply
Fill in and return our document In Year application form (71 KB) .
Complete the application form and return it to School Admissions.
You can return the form to us by email to school.admissions@bristol.gov.uk
Or you can post it to:
School Admissions (City Hall)
Bristol City Council
PO Box 3399
BRISTOL
BS1 9NE
School Admissions cannot forward your application or preference requests to schools that process their own in-year applications. Send your request for these schools directly the school(s).
When to apply
You can make an in year application at any time during the year, but it should be less than six school weeks before you want to move. If your child is offered a school place, you should take it up as soon as possible.
We aim to process school applications within 10 school days. You will receive the outcome of your application in writing by email or letter within 15 school days from the date it was received.
If you want your child to start at a different school at the beginning of the academic year in September 2025, you can apply from 9 June 2025. Dates may be different for schools that process their own in year school applications. We recommend you contact schools for further information.
If you're in the process of moving you'll need to provide documents to confirm your new address.
Find a school
Use your postcode to find the closest:
- primary schools Go to https://maps.bristol.gov.uk/myplace/?layer=Primary%20schools (opens new window) to your home address
- secondary schools Go to https://maps.bristol.gov.uk/myplace/?layer=Secondary%20schools (opens new window) to your home address
Help with in year admissions if your child is missing education
We can help you find a school place for your child if they are not currently in education.
Email school.admissions@bristol.gov.uk or call 0117 903 7694 if you applied for a school place through Bristol City Council School Admissions more than 15 school days ago and you have not had a response
Email childrenmissingeducation@bristol.gov.uk if you live in Bristol and:
- your child is not on roll at a Bristol school or receiving elective home education
- your child has been out of school for more than nine school days
- you applied directly to a school and were told there are no places in the appropriate year group
- you applied directly to a school more than 10 school days ago and haven't had a response
Requesting a school outside of Bristol
To make an in year application for a school outside of Bristol contact the local authority where the school is based.