Parents across Birmingham are being urged to act swiftly as the crucial deadline for primary school admissions for the 2026 academic year fast approaches. The window for applications, which opened on October 1, 2025, will close on January 15, 2026. Birmingham City Council has issued a clear warning that any forms received after this date will be treated as late, potentially jeopardising a child's chance of securing a place at their desired school.
Key Dates and the Serious Risk of Late Applications
The council's admissions process is strict. All applications submitted after the January 15 deadline will only be considered after all on-time applications have been processed. Specifically, late applications will not be processed until after April 16, 2026. This significant delay could severely limit options, as many popular schools will have filled their places from the first round of allocations. Parents are strongly advised not to miss the cut-off point.
How to Apply Correctly: Preferences, Siblings, and Vital Steps
The application requires parents to list three different primary schools in order of preference. A critical piece of advice is to ensure at least one choice is a 'realistic preference'. Parents can assess this by thoroughly reading the admission arrangements for each selected school, which outline their oversubscription criteria.
For families with another child already attending a preferred school, it is essential to include these sibling details in the dedicated box on the form. The council cautions against entering this information elsewhere, such as in the 'reasons for preference' section, as it will not be counted and could result in missing out on a sibling priority place.
Special Circumstances and Supplementary Information
For children with an Education Health Care Plan (EHCP), the application process is different. Parents should visit the SENAR Local Offer website for specific guidance rather than applying through the standard council portal.
Furthermore, some schools require a supplementary information form (SIF) or request evidence for social or medical needs cited in their criteria. If parents list any such schools, they must send the completed SIF and any supporting evidence directly to the school in question, in addition to submitting the main council application.
The complete application form and further detailed information can be found on the Birmingham City Council website. With the deadline looming, officials stress that careful, timely completion of the form is the most important step for securing a child's primary school place for September 2026.
