Making changes to your application

If you have submitted an application and your circumstances have changed, you must tell us. Circumstances might include: 

  • you have moved home
  • your child's sibling has left or joined a school you've applied to
  • your child has left a feeder school

If you do not tell us about changes, we may have to withdraw your school offer.

If you are moving home

You must let us know if you move house before your child starts at their new school.

We may be able to consider your new address in the first round of allocations if you meet the below criteria: 

  • you are going to move after the National Closing Date but before the start of term 1 and; 
  • you can provide independent confirmation of this before 11.59pm on the National Closing Date

Examples of independent confirmation of a change of address are:

  • a solicitor’s letter confirming the exchange of contracts with a completion date
  • a tenancy agreement signed by both parties
  • a utility bill dated three months prior to when you want to submit it to us

If you are moving in with a friend, relative or partner you must provide: 

  • proof of their address as above
  • a letter or email from the friend, relative or partner confirming the situation, including moving dates
  • proof that you have or are leaving the current or previous address, such as notice to quit the tenancy or proof that your property has sold. 

For Children of Crown Servant or UK Service Personnel, we will accept a letter from the MOD, FCO, or GCHQ declaring a return date and residency area.

Changing your preferences

Before the National Closing Date

You can change your preferences up until 11.59pm on the National Closing Date. Your final submitted application will be the one that is processed.

Once you have submitted your change of preferences, you will be sent an email acknowledging that we have received your online application and confirming your change of preferences. The email is your proof that you have submitted your change of preferences. 

If you do not receive this email and have checked your junk/spam emails, you should assume your change of preferences have not been received. Please log back into your account and complete and resubmit your application. 

Please return your paper application by email or post by the National Closing Date.  We recommend that you obtain independent proof of postage, such as recorded delivery.

After the National Closing Date

You cannot make any changes to your application after 11.59pm on the National Closing Date. You will need to make a new application, which will be treated as a late application.

After National Offer Day

You can apply using a paper application form. The new application will be treated as a late application and considered in the next round of allocations.

We cannot guarantee that your new application will be successful. This will depend on the availability of places. 

If a place can be offered from the new application, any school place already offered or accepted will automatically be withdrawn.