Apply for a reception or junior school place
Reception and Junior school applications for entry in September 2026
Children born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022 should start Reception in September 2026.
Children born between 1 September 2018 and 31 August 2019 and currently in an infant-only school should start Year 3 at a Junior school in September 2026.
Applications for a primary school place in Reception in September 2026 or a Junior school place (Year 3 only) in September 2026 are open to Slough residents between 1 September 2025 and 15 January 2026.
Please note parents have to apply to the local authority where they and their child live (as in, where they pay council tax for the property they and their child lives in), even if they wish to be considered for schools in another local authority. You can check if your home address falls within our area on GOV.UK's Find your local council page.
Key secondary school admission dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1 September 2025 | Online applications open |
| 16 January 2026 | National deadline to submit your child’s application |
| 16 April 2026 | National offer day for timely applicants |
Before making your application, you should:
- Read the Primary school admissions booklet 2026/27
- Attend school open days/evenings at schools you are interested in. Please refer to each school’s website for details
- Read the admission criteria for the schools you choose (so you understand how your child’s application will be considered). Please refer to each school’s website for details
- Check whether you need to provide a supplementary form (SIF) to meet certain admission criteria for a preferred school. Some schools (such as faith schools) require you to complete their supplementary form as well as Slough Borough Council’s Common Application Form (online application). You should return completed SIFs directly to the relevant school(s)
- Consider how your child will get to school each day.