Making your application
How long does it take to process an application?
It can take up to 15 school days to process from the time that you submit your application.
How are places allocated?
School places are allocated using the school admission policy for the school(s) that you would like to apply for. These can be found in the Schools Directory. If we can't offer your child a place at one of your preferred schools and your child does not currently have a place in a Bolton school, we will offer your child a place at the nearest school to your home address that does have a place available. This will usually be within a reasonable distance of your home address.
What can I do if my child is refused a place? Can I appeal?
If you are refused a place at one of your preferred schools, you can submit an appeal form to Democratic Services. Information on appeals can be found here.
Can my child’s name be placed on a waiting list for a school?
Your child will automatically be added to the waiting list for your preferred school(s) for the remainder of the school year. We will contact you straight away if we are able to offer a place from the waiting list.
How do I apply if my child has SEN?
If your child has an Education, Health and Care plan (EHCP) you must contact the SEN Team – ea.sen@bolton.gov.uk as we do not process applications for school transfer where a child has an EHCP.
What happens if I have shared parental responsibility for my child?
If you have shared parental responsibility, we advise that both parents agree on the school preferences before applying as only one application can be processed. Where a child spends an equal amount of time with both parents, the address used will be the registered address i.e., the address held by a GP, or the address that child benefit is paid to. Failure to reach an agreement may result in your application being suspended until both parents can reach a mutually acceptable decision about their school preferences.
How does the fair access protocol apply to my child’s application?
Each local authority must have a Fair Access Protocol to ensure that unplaced and vulnerable children, and those who are having difficulty in securing a school place in-year, are allocated a school place as quickly as possible. The Fair Access Protocol may only be used to place vulnerable and/or hard to place children, where they are having difficulty in securing a school place in-year, and it can be demonstrated that reasonable measures nave been taken to secure a place through the usual admission procedures.
Details on the Fair Access Protocol can be found in the School Admissions Code 2021, pages 32 -34.