Changing my child’s school (in-year)

In-year applications are for entry into a year group outside of the normal intake points.

Please take the time to read the information on this page. It is also important that you read the In-year school transfer guide for academic year 2024/25 as it has been prepared to help you understand the admissions process.

The guide can be viewed or printed from the downloads at the bottom of the page or a copy can be obtained from the Admissions Team or your local school.

Applying for a Luton school

Step 1

Click to find out your catchment area, you will need to type in your road name. this will show your catchment area school. You do not have to apply for your catchment area school but in most cases this school will be the nearest to your home address.

Step 2

Apply for a school place.

This can be done by applying online using the ‘Go to education portal’ button below.

Making an application using the education portal
You must register to the online system if you have not used the online application system in the past year.

Once you have completed the registration, you will be able to access the system using the log in details you have used this year for any future online applications you wish to make.

You must read the checklist before submitting your application.

A list of schools with possible vacancies in your child’s year group is available to download from the bottom of this page. It is important that you state one of the schools on this list as a preference, failure to do so will result in your application taking longer to process.

Go to education portal

Step 3

A decision letter will be sent to you.

Your request will be processed as quickly as possible, normally within 10 to 15 school days and you will be notified in writing to confirm whether a place is available. If you have not received any correspondence after 10 to 15 school days, please telephone the Admissions helpline on 01582 54 80 16, Monday to Friday between 9am to 4pm.

Once your child has been allocated a place, he or she will be expected to start at the school within five school days of receiving the offer letter. If the place is not taken up within this time, it may be withdrawn and given to another child.

Additional information

You will be required to upload the following documents as proof of address (on request). The documentation must be in the name of the person with parental responsibility making the application.

1. Your recent (within the last 12 months) working tax credit/child tax credit award letter for 2024/25. This must include the pages that show the name of your child. If you have not received a recent award letter, you must obtain a copy by telephoning the tax credit helpline on 0844 496 6507. Alternatively, you can provide your child benefit CH84TS form which shows your address at the time of application and your child’s name. If you have received a recent CH84TS form, you can obtain a copy by telephoning the child benefit helpline on 0843 504 7175.
2. A recent (within the last three months) gas bill or electricity bill or water bill which shows your address. Alternatively, you can provide your 2024/25 council tax bill which shows your address. Please note, we don’t accept telephone bills, credit card or bank statements as proof of address.
3. If you have recently moved address and do not have a utility bill, please provide an exchange of contract/completion letter or tenancy agreement. If you do not provide the relevant documentation to verify your address, this will result in a delay in processing your application if your preferred school(s) are oversubscribed.
4. If your child is new to Luton or attends a school that is not maintained by us, you will ned to provide a copy of his or her birth certificate. If you do not provide the relevant documentation to verify your child’s date of birth, this will result in a delay in processing your application.

Please note, the Admissions team will not be responsible for the safe return of original documents submitted by parents.

Waiting lists

If a place cannot be offered at one of your preferred schools your child’s details will be placed on a waiting list. Parents will need to re-apply after the relevant school’s waiting list expiry date if they wish their child’s details to be carried forward on the waiting list.

Applying for a place at a school in an Advantage School (The Chalk Hills Academy, The Linden Academy and The Stockwood Park Academy), a Luton Catholic school, Leagrave Primary School and/or Someries Infant School and Early Childhood Centre

If you are applying for a place at one of the above schools, you must complete the Advantage School (The Chalk Hills Academy, The Linden Academy and The Stockwood Park Academy), Catholic Schools, Leagrave Primary School and Someries Infant School and Early Childhood Centre application form. The completed form must be returned directly to the relevant school.

In addition, if you are applying for a place at a Luton Catholic School, you will also need to complete the supplementary form (attached to the main application form) and return it, along with your child’s original Baptismal Certificate to the relevant school. 

Parents wishing to apply for a place at St Margaret of Scotland Primary School can do so by using the education portal (green button above).

Applying for a school outside of Luton

Luton parents wishing to apply for a place at a school outside of Luton should contact the relevant council to obtain an application form and to discuss their admissions process.

Applying for a school place for September 2025

If you wish to transfer your child to a new school in September 2025 (outside of the normal intake points), you must submit your in-year application in June 2025.

Alternative ways to make an in-year application

If you do not have an email address you can request a copy of the relevant application form(s) to be posted to you by completing the school admissions general enquiry form.