Normal school admissions

What is a normal admission round?

Normal admissions are when a child is starting school in the Reception year for the first time, when transferring from an infant to a junior school at the end of Year 2, or when transferring from a primary or junior school to secondary school at the end of Year 6.

More detailed information about schools and admissions is available in the guides below and we would recommend that you read the appropriate guide for parents before making an application as it contains key information all parent/carers should consider before making an application.

Different types of school 

You can read a description of the different types of school eg. academies, free schools, faith schools, city technology colleges, state boarding schools and private schools on the GOV.UK website: 

GOV.UK - Types of school - overview (external website)

Catchment Areas

Most schools in the East Riding of Yorkshire have a defined catchment area. Children living in a school's catchment area have a higher priority for a place at the school than non-catchment residents.  An interactive map showing school catchment areas in East Riding of Yorkshire can be found here:

East Riding of Yorkshire School Catchment Area Map (external website)

Some schools do not have catchment areas, for example Roman Catholic primary schools. For details of the admissions arrangements for these schools, see the guide for parents:

Starting Primary or Infant School in September - a guide for parents (pdf 8.7mb)

How do I make an application for a school place?

The normal admissions round for first admission to infant, primary, junior and secondary school places for September 2023 is open from 01 September 2022 . You can apply for a school place online. We recommend all applicants read the Guide for Parents on this page before making an application.

You can make an application in the normal admissions round using the link below to access our Citizen Portal. Through this secure site you can then apply for your child's primary, junior or secondary school place. Citizen Portal is available from 1 September 2022 until the closing date of 31 October 2022 for secondary applications, or 15 January 2023 for infant, primary and junior applications.

Citizen Portal (external website)

Important notice: you cannot use the 'My Account' link at the top of this page to register for or to apply online for a school place. You must go to the Citizen Portal by clicking on the link above and then following the instructions on screen.

Deadline dates

Infant, primary or junior schools

For the 2023-2024 admissions round the closing date for applications for first admission to infant, primary or junior school is 15 January 2023.

Secondary schools

The closing date for secondary applications is 31 October 2022.

How we use your data

If you have any questions about how the data you provide in a school admissions application is dealt with, please see our privacy notice:

School Admissions Privacy Notice (pdf 175 kb opens in new window)

When will I know the result of my application?

The results for secondary school applications made during the 2023-24 admissions round will be sent to parents on 1 March 2023.

The results of infant and junior school applications and the applications for school places for children who were born between 1 September 2018 and 31 August 2019, made during the 2023-2024 admissions round, will be sent to parents on 17 April 2023.

Below is information about what happened in the previous admissions rounds, including which schools were over-subscribed and what categories of children were given places under the schools' admission arrangements.

Primary School Allocations 2022-23

A summary of primary school allocations for 2022-23 can be found via the link below:

Summary of primary school allocations for 2022-23 (pdf 121kb)

Primary School Allocations 2021-22

A summary of primary school allocations for 2021-22 can be found via the link below:

Summary of primary school allocations for 2021-22 (pdf 121kb)

Secondary School Allocations 2022-23

A summary of secondary school allocations for 2022-23 can be found via the link below:

Summary of secondary school allocations for 2022-23 (pdf 74kb)

Secondary School Allocations 2021-22

A summary of secondary school allocations for 2021-22 can be found via the link below:

Summary of secondary school allocations for 2021-22 (pdf 96kb)

I was unsuccessful in gaining a place at my preferred school. What are my options now?

All children living in the East Riding of Yorkshire whose parents apply for a school place will be given a school place. 

If a place cannot be given at a school named on the application form, the school admissions team will first try to give your child a place at your catchment area school. 

If this is not possible, the school admissions team will identify the nearest school in the East Riding of Yorkshire with a place available.

Waiting lists are maintained for places in the normal year of entry at East Riding of Yorkshire infant, junior, primary and secondary schools which are over-subscribed. A child’s name will be automatically put on the waiting list for a place at a school if the child has not been given a place at a school ranked as a higher preference. 

Waiting lists for the normal year of entry for all schools other than Airmyn Park, Dunswell, Hook and Swanland Primary Schools are deleted on 31 December and are no longer referred to.

What can I do if I am not happy with the school my child has been allocated?

Applicants refused a place at a school for their child will be given the right to appeal. Appeals will be heard by independent admission appeal panels.

You can find out more from the School admission appeals page.

What happens if I have missed the school application deadline?

You will not be able to apply online for a school place after the closing dates. 

You should contact the school admissions team for a late application form, and your request will be considered at the earliest opportunity.

Email: schooladmissions@eastriding.gov.uk

Tel: (01482) 392100