School Admissions
In-Year Admissions and Mid-Term School Transfers Explained
In year admission explained: how to apply for a school place outside the normal round, request a mid-term transfer, join a waiting list or appeal.
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Practical advice and guides to help you navigate your child's education.
School Admissions
National Offer Day: What to Do When You Get (or Miss) Your Place
National offer day explained: when secondary (1 March) and primary (16 April) school offers land, how to accept, and what to do if you miss out.
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School Admission Appeals: The Complete Guide to Winning Your Appeal
A parents' guide to school admission appeals in England: deadlines, the two-stage and infant class size process, the grounds that work, and how to prepare.
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How School Admissions Criteria and Oversubscription Rules Work
How school admissions criteria and oversubscription rules work in England: the order places are offered, catchment and distance, and appeals.
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Primary and Secondary School Application Deadlines 2026
The primary school application deadline is 15 January and secondary 31 October. The 2026-27 admissions dates, offer days and what to do if you miss out.
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School Admissions in England: The Complete Parents' Guide
A complete parents' guide to school admissions in England: how the system works, key deadlines, equal preference, catchment, offer days and appeals.
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Education News: Ofsted Pressure and the September Inspection Changes
Heads report a negative experience of Ofsted's new report-card inspections, the DfE issues SEND inclusion-base guidance, and Ofsted confirms September changes.
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How to Apply for a Secondary School Place: Step by Step
How to apply for a secondary school place in England: the 31 October deadline, ranking preferences, National Offer Day and how to appeal.
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How to Apply for a Primary School Place: Step by Step
How to apply for a primary school place in England, step by step: the 15 January deadline, choosing and ranking schools, offer day and what to do next.
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Education News: Tighter Phone Rules and Ofsted's First Report Cards
Schools are tightening phone policies under firmer government guidance and Ofsted scrutiny, Ofsted publishes its first new-look report cards, and the primary assessment season is in full swing.
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School Catchment Areas Explained: How They Really Affect Your Child's Place
What a school catchment area really means, how distance is measured, why a catchment place is never guaranteed, and what to do if you live outside one.
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School Admissions
Faith School Admissions in England: How the Supplementary Information Form (SIF) Works
How faith school admissions work in England: what a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) is, who needs one, the evidence required, deadlines, and what happens if you skip it.
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School Admissions
Grammar School Admissions in England: The 11+ and How to Apply (Parents' Guide)
A plain-English 2026 guide to grammar school admissions and the 11+ in England: registering for the test, the timeline, scores, oversubscription, and what to do next.
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School Admissions
In-Year School Admissions: How to Apply for a School Place After Moving House (2026 Parents' Guide)
Moving house in England? A plain-English 2026 guide to in-year school admissions: how to apply to the council, proof of address, waiting lists, appeals and Fair Access.
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School Admissions
How to Rank Your School Choices: Getting the Preference Order Right (2026 Parents' Guide)
Get the preference order right on your school application. A plain-English 2026 guide to the equal preference system, how many schools to list, and ranking by real odds.
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School Admissions
School Admissions in England: The Complete Parents' Guide (2026)
A plain-English 2026 guide to school admissions in England: how to apply, key deadlines, the equal preference system, catchment, offer day, waiting lists and appeals.
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School Admissions
Education News: League Table Shake-Up and the 2026 Rankings
The DfE plan to drop 'average' labels for school progress scores, plus the 2026 Parent Power table where state schools surged. What it means for parents.
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School Admissions
School Oversubscription Criteria Explained: How School Places Are Actually Allocated (2026 Guide for Parents)
How do oversubscribed schools decide who gets in? A clear 2026 guide for parents to the PAN, equal preference, the criteria order, distance and tie-breakers.
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School Admissions
Free School Transport Eligibility UK: Who Qualifies and How to Apply (2026 Guide for Parents)
Is your child entitled to free school transport in England? A 2026 parent guide to the 2 and 3 mile rules, low-income rights, SEND transport and how to apply.
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School Admissions
School Admission Waiting Lists Explained: How They Work and How to Improve Your Position
How school admission waiting lists work in England: how you are added, why lists are ranked by oversubscription criteria not waiting time, and how to improve your position.
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School Admissions
Free School Transport Eligibility UK | Schools Insight
Free School Transport Eligibility UK | Schools Insight
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How to Rank Your School Choices: Getting the Preference Order Right (2026 Parents' Guide)
How to Rank Your School Choices: Getting the Preference Order Right (2026 Parents' Guide)
Read guide →School Admissions
In-Year School Admissions: How to Apply for a School Place After Moving House (2026 Parents' Guide)
In-Year School Admissions: How to Apply for a School Place After Moving House (2026 Parents' Guide)
Read guide →School Admissions
Grammar School Admissions in England: The 11+ and How to Apply (Parents' Guide)
Grammar School Admissions in England: The 11+ and How to Apply (Parents' Guide)
Read guide →School Admissions
Faith School Admissions in England: How the Supplementary Information Form (SIF) Works
Faith School Admissions in England: How the Supplementary Information Form (SIF) Works
Read guide →School Admissions
School Catchment Areas Explained: How They Really Affect Your Child's Place
School Catchment Areas Explained: How They Really Affect Your Child's Place
Read guide →School Admissions
Education News: Tighter Phone Rules and Ofsted's First Report Cards
Education News: Tighter Phone Rules and Ofsted's First Report Cards
Read guide →School Admissions
How to Apply for a Primary School Place: Step by Step
How to Apply for a Primary School Place: Step by Step
Read guide →School Admissions
How to Apply for a Secondary School Place: Step by Step
How to Apply for a Secondary School Place: Step by Step
Read guide →School Admissions
Education News: Ofsted Pressure and the September Inspection Changes
Education News: Ofsted Pressure and the September Inspection Changes
Read guide →School Admissions
School Admissions in England: The Complete Parents' Guide
School Admissions in England: The Complete Parents' Guide
Read guide →School Admissions
Primary and Secondary School Application Deadlines 2026
Primary and Secondary School Application Deadlines 2026
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How School Admissions Criteria and Oversubscription Rules Work
How School Admissions Criteria and Oversubscription Rules Work
Read guide →School Admissions
School Admission Appeals: The Complete Guide to Winning Your Appeal
School Admission Appeals: The Complete Guide to Winning Your Appeal
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National Offer Day: What to Do When You Get (or Miss) Your Place
National Offer Day: What to Do When You Get (or Miss) Your Place
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In-Year Admissions and Mid-Term School Transfers Explained
In-Year Admissions and Mid-Term School Transfers Explained
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Education News: July 2026
The DfE confirms a multi-year teacher pay deal, key stage 2 SATs results are delayed after marking problems, and free school meals funding is set ahead of the September expansion.
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How to Write a School Appeal Letter (With Examples)
How to write a school appeal letter a panel takes seriously: the grounds that work, the structure to follow, examples, and mistakes to avoid.
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School Admissions Questions Parents Ask Most
Clear answers to the school admissions questions parents ask most: catchment, preferences, offer day, waiting lists, appeals and in-year moves in England.
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What Happens at a School Appeal Hearing and How to Prepare
What to expect at a school appeal hearing in England: the two-stage process, the independent panel, how to prepare, and when you get the decision.
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Infant Class Size Appeals: Why They Are Harder and How to Win One
Infant class size appeals are harder to win because of the 30-pupil limit. The narrow legal grounds, how the panel decides, and how to give yourself a chance.
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Grounds for a School Appeal That Actually Work
The grounds for a school appeal that work: the procedural errors and prejudice balance that win, and the weak reasons that do not.
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UK Schools and Education News: July 2026
September safeguarding rules are confirmed in Keeping Children Safe in Education 2026, a late-June heatwave dents attendance, and analysis shows more schools facing Ofsted monitoring visits.
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School Appeal Deadlines and Timeline for 2026
Your school appeal deadline explained: the 20 school days to lodge, 40 days to be heard, hearing notice and decision times for the 2026 appeals round.
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School Waiting Lists Explained: How They Work and How to Improve Your Position
How a school waiting list works: why it is ranked by oversubscription criteria not waiting time, how long it lasts, and how to use it with an appeal.
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How to Compare Schools: Ofsted, Results and What the Data Really Tells You
How to compare schools properly: reading Ofsted reports, exam results and league tables, weighing catchment and visits, and what the data won't tell you.
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Ofsted Reports Explained: How to Read One and What the Ratings Mean
Ofsted reports explained for parents: how to read a school's report card, what the new 5-point ratings mean, and how much weight to give the judgement.
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School League Tables Explained: Progress 8, Attainment 8 and More
School league tables explained for parents: what Attainment 8, the EBacc and destinations measure, and why Progress 8 is missing for 2025 and 2026.
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UK Schools & Education News: July 2026
UK Schools & Education News: July 2026
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Primary School SATs Results Explained for Parents
SATs results explained for parents: what Key Stage 2 scaled scores mean, what's tested, when you get results, and how much they really matter.
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Progress 8 vs Attainment 8: Which Matters More When Choosing a Secondary School
Progress 8 vs Attainment 8 explained: what each measure means, how they differ, and which one matters more when you are choosing a secondary school.
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Types of School in England Explained: Academies, Free Schools, Grammars and More
The types of schools in England explained for parents: academies, free schools, community, faith, grammar and independent schools, and why type matters.
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Private vs State School: Costs, Outcomes and How to Decide
Private vs state school in England compared: real fee figures, class sizes, results and outcomes, and a practical way to decide what suits your child.
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School Admissions
UK Education News: July 2026
Lucy Powell becomes Education Secretary in Andy Burnham's first reshuffle, and the DfE consults on raising the £6,000 SEND funding threshold in place since 2013.
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The 11-Plus Explained: What It Is and How It Works
The 11-plus explained: what the exam is, where grammar schools use it, what it tests, when children sit it, pass marks and how to prepare.
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What Makes a Good School? The Signs That Matter More Than the Rating
What makes a good school? The signs that matter more than the Ofsted rating: behaviour, teaching, curriculum, progress and support for every child.
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School Catchment Area Finder: How to Check Which Schools You Can Get Into
Learn how to find your school catchment area, understand how catchment zones work, and discover which primary and secondary schools your child is eligible for in your area.
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Choosing Schools
How to Choose Primary School: A Complete Guide for Parents
Expert advice on choosing the right primary school for your child, including what to look for, questions to ask, and how to make an informed decision that's right for your family.
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Ofsted & School Performance
Ofsted Ratings Explained: Complete Guide for Parents
Understand Ofsted ratings and what they really mean for your child's education. Learn how to read inspection reports, what inspectors look for, and how to use ratings when choosing schools.
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School Admissions
School Admissions Timeline UK: Complete Guide for Parents
Everything you need to know about school admissions deadlines in the UK, from nursery to secondary school, with key dates and what to do at each stage.
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School Admissions
How to Apply for Primary School: A Complete Guide for Parents
Everything you need to know about applying for a primary school place in England, including deadlines, how to choose schools, and what to do if you don't get your first choice.
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