When your child can start school
- Pupils start at a junior school in Year 3
- Pupils start at a middle school in Year 5
- Pupils start at a Secondary school in Year 7
- Pupils start at an Upper school in Year 9
Your address
The home address is very important, as school places are allocated based on the permanent home address of each child. A child’s permanent home address is considered to be where the child spends most of their time with parents or carers.
Documentary evidence of home ownership or suitable rental agreement may be required, together with proof of permanent residence at the property concerned. Places cannot be allocated based on an intended future address unless the house move can be confirmed through the formal ‘exchange of contracts or the signing of a minimum of a 6-month formal tenancy agreement from a letting agency.
Private letting agreements may not be accepted as proof of residence. An address change due to a move to live with other family members or friends will not be considered until the move has taken place and you have given us suitable proof of residency. Proof that a move from the previous address has taken place may also be required, for example, proof of exchange of contracts, a tenancy agreement showing the end date of the tenancy or a notice to quit from the landlord or repossession notice. We reserve the right to seek more documentary evidence to support any claim of residence, which could include contacting the estate agent, solicitor, landlord or relevant professional. We may carry out home visits without prior notice to verify a child’s home address.
An address used for childcare arrangements cannot be used as a home address for the purpose of applying for a school place.
Proof of address for Voluntary Controlled (VC) and Community (C) schools will not be required for traveller families where the address is confirmed by the Traveller Education Service. A foster carer will not be required to supply proof of address for a child placed with them by a local authority.
For admission allocation purposes, in most cases, the address that will be taken into consideration is the address at which the child is resident at the closing date or an address at which the child will be resident before the start of the new academic year in September 2025, providing the change of address is notified and evidence provided before the exemption deadline of 6 December 2024. However, own admission authority schools’ arrangements may vary.
If you move out of an address before outcome day the application will need to be processed on the new address. You must keep us informed of any address changes. Failure to do so may result in a school place being withdrawn.
Fraudulent or misleading claims relating to the home address of a particular child may lead to the withdrawal of the offer of a school place.
State your catchment school as one of your preferences
If you would like your child to be considered for your catchment school, you will need to include it as one of your preferences. But this does not guarantee a place at this school. You can look this up on our School catchment page.
Some schools and academies that are their own admission authority do not prioritise children living in the catchment area of the school in their over-subscription criteria. If you think you live in the catchment area of a school or academy, but the school or academy does not include a catchment area in their over-subscription criteria, it is recommended that one of the preferences expressed is for the nearest school to your home address. However, please note this does not guarantee your child a place at this school. Please contact us if you are not sure which school is nearest.
If you choose a school that is not your designated transport area or nearest school, you are unlikely to be eligible for school travel assistance. It will be your responsibility to ensure your child can get to school. Find more information on School Travel Assistance page.
Applying for a secondary school if your child is in the last year of a middle school
If you wish to request a year 9 place at a secondary school for your child for September 2025, you must make an in-year application.
Applying for a middle school if your child is in the last year of a primary school
If you wish to request a year 7 place at a middle school for your child for September 2025, you must make an in-year application.
Writhlington School (Bath and North East Somerset)
The catchment school for children living in Holcombe, Hemington, Coleford and Kilmersdon is Writhlington School – which is in Bath and North East Somerset. Please view the school’s over-subscription criteria on their website.
Does my child’s current school influence their next school place
Some schools prioritise specific named feeder schools as part of their over-subscription criteria. Please check the over-subscription criteria for the schools you wish to apply for.
Applying for a church school on religious grounds
Confirmation of church attendance or any involvement with the work and worship of the church must be confirmed on a SIF and returned by the published deadline.
For own admission authority church schools, please see the individual school website for a definition of religious criteria and where to get a SIF if needed (see our glossary for definitions of different school types).
If you have special reasons for wanting a place at a particular school
Places are allocated strictly according to the over-subscription criteria for that school or academy. Please check the individual school’s over-subscription criteria for details of how places are allocated.
If you do not need a place at a Somerset school or academy
If you are moving away or making alternative arrangements for your child’s education, such as an independent school or home education, please email us at schooladmissions@somerset.gov.uk as soon as possible so that we can update your child’s record. If your child will be attending an independent school, please include the name of the school.
If you are considering a place at an independent school, you must make your application directly to the school concerned. For more information, please contact the Independent Schools Council.
If you are moving out of Somerset, please provide your child’s new address.