Applying for Reception class place for September 2025
If your child was born between 1st September 2020 and 31st August 2021, they will start reception class at the start of the new school year in September 2025.
The online application will open on 30 September 2024.
Before applying for a Reception class place, parents must read the following booklet as it contains important information about the application process.
The closing date for applications is 15 January 2025.
How to apply
You will need to apply online using the Citizen Portal.
If you have previously used the citizen portal to apply for a school place in Wigan, you can log in using the same email and password. If you don’t already have an account on the Citizen Portal, you will need to click on ‘register an account’.
You can make changed to your online application form as many times as you like up to the closing date on 15 January 2025.
If you need any help using the online application, please contact the School Organisation Team on 01942 489013.
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. For the full list of accepted proof please see page 8 of the Applying for a Reception class place booklet.
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 for more information, please see the ‘Applying for a Reception class place’ booklet.
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 forms must be returned to the relevant school before the closing date for application, 15 January 2025. If you have sent any forms by post, it is your responsibility to check they have been received.
Finding out your school place offer
National offer day 16 April or the next working day if this date falls over a weekend or bank holiday. For 2025 national offer day is 16 April 2025.
If you have applied online before the closing date, you will receive an email from 9:00am on offer day. Emails will be sent to the email address which you provided on the online application form. Online applicants will also be able to view their allocation by logging onto the citizen portal on offer day.
If you applied using a paper application, you will receive a letter. Letters will be sent out by first class post on offer day.
Late applications
It is important that you submit your application before the closing date for application, 15 January 2025. Applications received after the closing date will be classed as late.
Late applications will be processed after those received on time. This also includes if you make any changes to your application after the closing date such as school preferences and/or change of address.
You should be aware that a late application could reduce the chance of gaining a place at your preferred school.
Delayed entry to primary school
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