Normal admissions rounds are a statutory process where all parents/carers must apply for a place for their child to start school in the school’s 'year of entry' at Primary, or Secondary school.
An in-year admission is when you are applying for a school place outside of the normal admissions rounds.
- An in-year admission could be a move between Cambridgeshire schools, or a move to a Cambridgeshire school from a school in a different county or country.
- To apply for a place at a school outside of Cambridgeshire you will need to apply to the local authority of the new school.
In-year applications for September 2026
We are now accepting applications for the next academic year - September 2026.
Some applications may currently take longer than our usual 15 school day processing timescale. This is due to a high volume of applications ahead of the new school year in September. We are also implementing a new admissions system.
We are working through applications as quickly as possible to ensure children can access education at the start of the new school year.
If we need any further information to process your application, we will contact you directly. Once a decision has been made, you will be notified as soon as possible. Contacting the Admissions Team for an update will not change the processing time of your application.
Please only contact us if your circumstances have changed significantly or your enquiry is urgent.
Applications submitted from July onwards may not receive an outcome before September as offers are dependent upon a response being received from the requested school/s.
Schools closed in July for the summer break and will not re-open until the start of term in September.
Schools with places available
We publish a weekly list with places available. (The lists will now be updated in September when correct numbers will be available.)
Some schools have operational Published Admission Numbers (PANs), which may not be included in the document. Please contact us for the most up to date information on spaces available in schools.
Where a school placement has been refused and a school has an operational PAN, applications can still be made for your preference school and if refused the right to appeal will be given.
We understand how important securing a school place is for your child’s future. Unfortunately, due to unprecedented demand and limited capacity in some areas, not all families my be offered their preferred school but an alternative placement.
Places in schools that process their own in year admissions
When you can apply
- You can submit an application for a school place up to 30 school days before the intended start date.
- We will email your offer once it has been processed. We aim to process applications within 10-15 school days.
- If we have not received a complete application, we will contact you to request any relevant information in order for your application to be processed correctly.
- If you are moving house within Cambridgeshire, moving into the UK or into Cambridgeshire from another local Authority area, please provide evidence for your new address. Information can be found here: School admissions frequently asked questions | Cambridgeshire County Council – under ‘What evidence of address do I need to provide?’
If your child has an EHCP
- If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan, please do not make your application using the process on this page. Your child's SEN Casework Officer will explain the application process to you. Further information can be found at SEND Information Hub (Local Offer).
If you have any queries, please contact the Statutory Assessment Team.
- Telephone: 01480 372600
- Email: SAT@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
In-year admissions - find out more
For more information on in-year admissions visit our School admissions frequently asked questions.
Contact us about in-year admissions
- Email admissions@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
- Telephone: 0345 045 1370
