Starting Reception or Junior School 2026
The on time application process closed on 15 January 2026.
If you have not already applied for a place for your child to start Reception in September 2026, you need to complete a Late Reception Application Form
If you have not already applied for a place in Year 3 at Junior School in September 2026 you need to complete a Late Junior School Application Form
The closing date for all on time application forms was Thursday 15 January 2026, all applications received now will be treated as late applications.
You can only apply for a place to start Reception in 2026 of your child's date of birth falls between 01 September 2021 and 31 August 2022, and for Junior school places your child must be in current Year 2 with a date of birth between 01 September 2018 and 31 August 2019
Statistics and information
Data in relation to annual admission trends over the past three years:
Additional forms
Some schools have additional forms which are available to download. To see if this applies to the schools you are applying for please refer to the parent guide.
- Medical declaration form (Primary and Secondary)
- Catholic Denominational (Primary)
- Church of England Denominational (Voluntary Aided)
- Church of England Denominational (Voluntary Controlled)
For information on what to do next please read the advice and guidance.
Acceptable proof of address
Find out more about acceptable proof here
Deferred entry
Parents may seek a place for their child outside of their normal age group, for example, if the child is gifted and talented or has experienced problems such as ill health. In addition, the parents of a summer born child may choose not to send that child to school until the September following their fifth birthday and may request that they are admitted out of their normal age group – to Reception rather than Year 1.
Parents/carers must apply for a school place through the normal admission procedures and must submit an application form by 15 January. A request to delay entry will be made by the parent in writing, outlining reasons for the request, to the School Admissions Team by no later than 15 January in the year of the child’s scheduled entry to reception class.
Free nursery places
If you have a two, three or four-year-old and would like to know more about the free nursery places available in Sandwell, visit our Early Years and Childcare page to find out more.
Need more information?
Our frequently asked question for parents of children due to start reception or junior school in September should help you find the answer you need.