Parents and carers can now apply online for children who are either starting primary school or moving to secondary school in the Lancaster district September 2027.
The closing date for applications for primary school is January 15, 2027, and for applications for secondary school, it is October 31, 2026.
You must apply even if you child's brother or sister is already at the school, or if the school is linked to your child's nursery. You will also need to read the admissions criteria for your chosen school on the website, or get a copy from them.
While all applications received up to the closing date are given equal priority, if you miss the deadline, a late application may reduce your chance of getting your preference of school.
A school's admission criteria sets out the order in which children are given priority for places, if there are more applications than places available.
Each school can have different criteria, but this can include factors such as where a child lives, whether they have a sibling at the school, faith, church attendance or other circumstances.
This means that living close to a school or listing it as a preference does not guarantee a place. Parents are strongly encouraged to research the admission criteria for each school before applying so they can make informed choices and understand how places are allocated.
This is particularly important for schools that are popular and regularly oversubscribed, as living close to a school or listing it as a preference does not automatically guarantee a place.
County Councillor Matthew Salter, cabinet member for Education and Skills, said: "Choosing a school is an important milestone for every family, and I would encourage parents and carers to start thinking about their options and apply as soon as they can.
"Submitting your application by the closing date gives you the best opportunity to secure a place at your preferred school, and our online application process is quick, simple and only takes a few minutes to complete.
"It's important to remember that school places are not allocated automatically, so all parents and carers will need to submit an application. You can also find information about home-to-school transport and check whether your child may be eligible for travel assistance as part of the process.
"If you have any questions or need support along the way, our admissions team is on hand and ready to help."
Parents are also advised that their children could be eligible for free transport to school, depending on how far the walk is, while support for families on low incomes is also available.
Parents and carers are encouraged to check the admissions criteria for their preferred schools carefully on the Lancashire County Council website, as criteria vary from school to school and can affect the likelihood of securing a place.
It is also important to consider travel arrangements, as home-to-school transport assistance may only be available where the nearest suitable school is named as the preferred option, and some schools may not have transport links available from your local area.
If travel cost is an important factor in your school preference, please check the guidance on our website or call 0300 123 6707.
For more information go to www.lancashire.gov.uk/schools
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