Applying for a primary school place
The application period for a primary school place in September 2024 was from 1 November 2023 to 15 January 2024.
For children born between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2020, this was the application period for a reception school place in September 2024. For children in the last year at an infant school, it was the application period for a junior school place for September 2024.
Applications received after the closing date are treated as late applications. This means there will be far less chance of your child being offered a place at the school you want.
Our admissions timetable shows you when to apply, and when you can find out your offer. More information on the application process is given in our school admissions brochure. Our page of download documents and forms also includes supplemental forms for religious schools.
Apply online or return to your application
By applying online you will:
- get an email acknowledgement of your application
- be able to check which school place has been offered from 16 April 2024
To create a login account for school admissions, use the link below and select 'create an account'. Your login accounts for other Thurrock Council services are not affected.
School admissions applications
Online briefing sessions
We hosted 3 online briefing sessions on Thursday 26 October 2023 to explain the admissions process, answer questions and offer help to apply for a school place. Sessions did not promote any particular school but gave an overview of the whole process.
Home address
We normally process applications on the basis of the child's home address at the time of application and offer.
The home address is the address where the child is a permanent resident, or where the child is ordinarily resident. This is usually the address of the parent, or carer with parental responsibility. The adult with whom the child is ordinarily resident would receive Child Benefit for the child.
You can find your street in our list of school catchment areas – go to download documents and forms.
Late applications
Any application received after the closing date will be treated as a late application. We process late applications only after we have processed all the on-time applications. This means there will be far less chance of your child being offered a place at the school you want.
If you have already applied online you will not be able to make another application. Contact us if you feel you need to make another application, or to send evidence that your application was late due to exceptional circumstances.
Admissions appeals
If your child's school admission application is unsuccessful, you may wish to appeal against the decision. For advice on admission appeals, go to GOV.UK: Advice for parents and guardians on school admission appeals.
We do not provide an admissions appeals service.
You should check the website of the school for which you applied to find out who provides its admissions appeals service. If the appeals service is provided by Essex County Council, you can appeal online at Essex County Council: After your school offer. Otherwise, follow the guidance on the school’s website.