Applying for Reception class place for September 2026
If your child was born between 1st September 2021 and 31st August 2022, they will start reception class at the start on the new school year in September 2026.
Before applying for a Reception class place, parents must read the following booklet as it contains important information about the application process.
National Allocation Day
On 16th April 2026 offers will be sent to applicants who applied before the closing date for applications by email and post.
If you have applied online, on 16th April 2026 you will receive an email from 9am and you will be able to view the outcome of your application on the School Admissions Portal. If you have applied using a paper application form, you will be notified of the outcome by letter.
If you have applied online and your email shows that you have not been offered a place at one of your preferred schools, you will receive a letter with details of which criterion your application fell under. Information on how places were allocated, how to appeal and waiting lists can be found further down this page.
Letters are being posted on 15th April 2026 by 1st class post. Please wait for your letter to arrive. If your letter has not arrived by 24th April, please contact the School Organisation Team.
Late applications received before the 16th April 2026 will be notified of the outcome by letter from May 2026.
How places were allocated
The documents below give details of how places were allocated at each oversubscribed Wigan Primary School. If you have been refused a place at any of these schools, you will be sent a letter with the reason your child was refused a place.
- All Saint's Catholic Primary School, Golborne
- Aspull Church Primary School
- Bedford Hall Methodist Primary School
- Beech Hill Community Primary School
- Britannia Bridge Primary School
- Christ Church CE Primary School
- Garrett Hall Primary School
- Gilded Hollins Community School
- Hindley All Saint's CE Primary School
- Hindley Junior and Infant School
- Hindsford CE Primary School
- Holy Family Catholic Primary School, New Springs
- Holy Family RC Primary School, Boothstown
- Leigh Central Primary School
- Leigh St John's CE Primary School
- Leigh St Mary's CE Primary School
- Leigh St Peter's CE Primary School
- Lowton St Mary's CE Primary School
- Lowton West Primary School
- Marsh Green Primary School
- Marus Bridge Primary School
- Meadowbank Primary School
- Millbrook Primary School
- Newton Westpark Primary School
- Nicol Mere School
- Orrell Holgate Academy
- Orrell Newfold Primary School
- Our Lady's RC Primary School, Wigan
- Parklee Community School
- Sacred Heart Catholic Primary School, Wigan
- Shevington Vale Primary School
- St Ambrose Barlow Catholic Primary School
- St Bernadette's Catholic Primary School
- St Catharine's CE Primary School
- St Gabriel's Catholic Primary School
- St James' Catholic Primary School, Orrell
- St Joseph's Catholic Primary School, Leigh
- St Luke's CE Primary School
- St Marie's Catholic Primary School
- St Mark's CofE Primary School
- St Mary St John Catholic Primary School
- St Michael's CE Primary School, Howe Bridge
- St Thomas' CE JI School, Golborne
- St William's Catholic Primary School
- St Wilfrid's Church of England Primary Academy, Standish
- Twelve Apostles Catholic Primary School
- Wigan Worsley Mesnes Community Primary School
- Woodfield Primary School.
Appeals and waiting lists
If you have been refused a place at a Wigan primary school you have the right to appeal that decision. Children refused a place at a Wigan primary school will be added to the schools waiting list which will be kept until 31st December 2026.
Before submitting your appeal please read the appeals information sheet.
Appeal for a place at Wigan community, foundation, academy, Church of England and Catholic schools in the Salford diocese.
To appeal for a place at Wigan community, foundation, academy, Church of England and Catholic schools in the Salford diocese you will need to:
If you are unable to appeal using the online form, please contact the School Organisation Team and we will post the form to you.
Appeal for a place at a Wigan Catholic primary school in the Archdiocese of Liverpool
To appeal for a place at Wigan Catholic primary school in the Archdiocese of Liverpool, you will need to:
How to apply
The closing date for applications was 15 January 2026 and the online application service is now closed.
If you have not yet applied for a primary school place, or you wish to change your mind about the preferences or the order of preferences, you must complete a late application form.
Please do not use this form to apply for a school transfer. Please view the Moving Schools webpage to apply for a school transfer.
Moving address
If you move house please tell us immediately, you will need to provide documentary proof of your new address e.g. exchange of contacts or tenancy agreement.
If you move house after the closing date for applications, we cannot use your new address to process your application form. We must use your permanent address on the closing date for applications. Once your new address has been confirmed it will be taken into account when operating waiting lists.
Church schools
If you are naming a voluntary aided (Church) school as a preference on your application, we strongly recommend that you complete and submit the school’s supplementary information form alongside your application form. The school governors will need this extra information so that they can consider your application against their faith criteria.
Supplementary information forms can be downloaded from the school’s website, or you can request one from the school office.
Supplementary forms must be returned to the relevant school before the closing date for application, 15 January 2026. If you have sent any forms by post, it is your responsibility to check they have been received.
Delayed entry to primary school
Privacy notice
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