Information from the Education Advisory Team (UK) to the parents of Service children who will start primary school for the first time in September 2026.
School places in England for September 2026
Primary School application deadlines
If you require a primary school place in England for September 2026, the deadline for primary school applications is 15th January 2026.
School Admissions Top Tips (England) >
Application process
We would advise that you follow your local authority’s application process: information will be available on their website. You can also contact your local authority’s admission team if you have any questions or require support. Contact details should be available on the local authority website.
Offer dates 2026
Each local authority will send out offers for Primary school places on 16th April 2026
Further information
Apply for a primary school place (www.gov.uk)
School admissions code (www.gov.uk)
Primary School Places in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland for Autumn 2026
Education is a devolved matter and each of the four countries have different education systems.
Dependent on location, it is likely that there will be a different process and deadline for applying
for primary school places in each area. We would advise that you follow your local authority’s
application process and ensure that you are aware of the deadline to submit your application by.
This information will usually be available on the local authority website. If you are not living within
the local authority, then we would advise that you contact the local authority admissions team in
the area where you’re going to live for further advice.
Further information can be found on the links below:
Scotland
MyGovScot – Register
Forces Children Education
Wales
Gov.Wales – Admissions
SSCE Cymru
Northern Ireland
Education Authority NI – Admissions
Overseas
If you have a posting overseas, please refer to the DCS website for contact details of each DCS School.
The Overseas Education and Supportability Team can be contacted by email: [email protected]
Education Advisory Team (UK) Advice and Support
For more bespoke advice in relation to your individual situation then please contact the Education
Advisory Team UK (EAT UK) on the contact details below:
Email: [email protected]
Post: EAT (UK), Trenchard Lines, Upavon, Wiltshire, SN9 6BE
