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A guide to choosing a school

Choosing a school is one of the most important decisions you will make for your child. To have the best chance of getting your child into the primary or secondary school of your choice, you must apply well in advance.

Planning and preparing

Choosing a school for your child can seem daunting but an early start to your planning can help you to make a well informed choice.

All parents need to make an application - even if your child's current primary or nursery school is linked to the school you want them to go to next, you won't be considered for a place unless you apply. An early start means you'll be less likely to miss key deadlines.

Finding a school for your child

You should contact your local education and library board and ask for a list of schools in your area:

Find out more

Once you know which schools are near you, get as much information as you can about them. This will give you a better idea of which schools might suit your child most.

For example, you might like to:

  • visit the schools
  • read the schools' most recent inspection reports
  • read the schools' brochures.

Applying for a school place

Once you have narrowed down your list of preferred schools, it's time to apply for a place.

Admissions criteria

Before submitting your application, it's very important to read the school's admission criteria. Different schools have different criteria.

If the school you're interested in is popular, the admissions criteria will give you a realistic idea of your child's chances of getting a place there.

Don't miss the deadline

There are important dates by which you need to submit your application.

Send off your application form in plenty of time. It's important to remember that you may spoil your application if you miss the deadline.

When you’ll find out the results

Education and library boards issue letters on the last Friday of May each year advising parents to which post-primary school their child has been accepted.

Letters advising parents to which primary school their child has been accepted go out on the first Friday in April.

Appealing a school place decision

Sometimes schools do not have enough places for the number of children who have applied. If your child does not get a place at the school you prefer, you have a legal right to appeal if you think that the school did not apply or did not correctly apply, its published admissions criteria.

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.

Find out how the appeal process works and what happens once a decision has been reached:

Education for under fives

Education for under fives is available through nurseries, playgroups and reception classes. Find out more about how you can encourage your child to start learning and how to prepare them for their first day at school:

More useful links

Do it online