Applying for a school place

Every effort is made to provide your child with a place in your choice of school - either primary or post primary. However, no child can be guaranteed a place in any particular school.

Primary schools: how to apply

If you are applying for a first year place at a primary school in Northern Ireland, you need to get a form from your local education and library board. You will be asked for a list of your preferred schools. You should name at least three primary schools in order of preference.

Your board can give you a list of schools in your area. Remember to apply by the deadline or you could reduce your chances of getting a place at your preferred school.

Contact your local education and library board at:

When to apply

Make sure you apply in good time - the deadline is set in the January of the year that the child is due to start school.

Check with your board for the exact date your application needs to be in and the address to send it to. If you miss the deadline, you are less likely to be offered a place at your preferred school.

Secondary and grammar schools - how to apply

Each parent or guardian of a child who is applying for a place at a post-primary school will receive a copy of an information leaflet with advice on how to choose a post-primary school and complete an application form called the Transfer Form by a specified date in February.

This leaflet is published by the Department of Education.

Transfer Forms are distributed to parents/guardians via your child’s primary school. On the form you will be asked to list at least three post-primary schools in order of preference.

You should include any relevant information or special circumstances to support your application. Completed forms should be returned to your child’s primary school.

Other considerations

If a school gets more applications that it has places available, the board of governors will apply its published admissions criteria to decide which children get offered a place

Applying for a school place: admissions criteria

Changing schools

If you move house and you have to change your child's school, you should contact your local education and library board for more information. Do this well in advance of your move as some schools may already be full.

Contact details for Education and Library Boards

Appealing a decision

If you are unhappy with your offer, then you have the right to appeal to an independent appeal panel.

In respect of post-primary admissions decisions parents can also appeal to an independent Exceptional Circumstances Body if they believe that there are compelling reasons why their child must attend a particular post-primary school.

You can find out more at: