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  3. Home
  4. Children and families
  5. Schools
  6. Apply for a school place
  7. Apply for a primary school place for September 2026

Stay safe in very hot weather

Very hot weather is expected for the next few days. A red heat-health alert (the highest level) is in place for London on Wednesday and Thursday.  

Hot weather can be dangerous and can cause serious illness. Stay safe and look out for others who may be particularly vulnerable to the heat. Read advice on GOV.UK

Cool spaces

There are local cool spaces that are free and open to everyone. Visit them to rest, drink water and stay cool. Find a cool space near you

Access Islington hubs 

North and South Access Islington hubs are closed due to the hot weather. The Central Hub is open for urgent, in-person support, until 4pm today (Wednesday 24 June) but avoid travelling unless it is essential. 

You can still access our services online and you can call us on 020 7527 2000 if you need to speak to someone. 

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Apply for a primary school place

If your child is due to start primary school and lives in Islington, you must apply online.

  1. Before you apply
  2. Choosing the right school for your child
  1. How to apply
  2. Dates and deadlines

Choosing the right school for your child

If your child is due to start primary school and lives in Islington, you must apply online.

  1. Before you apply
  2. Choosing the right school for your child
  3. How to apply
  4. Dates and deadlines

Choosing the right school for your child

  1. Apply on time – only 40% of applicants who applied late were offered one of their preferred schools compared to 97% of on time applicants.
  2. Remember to apply even if your child attends the nursery of your preferred school. There is no automatic entry to reception from nursery.
  3. If your child’s older sibling  attends your preferred school, you must still apply. Please note that to qualify for admission under the ‘sibling’ criterion, the older child will still need to be on roll at the school in September and they must live at the same address.  
  4. Visit schools – this is the best way to get a ‘feel’ for the school.
  5. You can meet a member of the leadership team, ask questions and see the school in action.
  6. Think about what is right for your child – don’t rely on what others tell you, visit the school and experience it first-hand.
  7. Talk to your child – involve them as much as you can.
  8. Think about the journey – how easy will it be to get to the school? A local school means your child can walk from home, benefitting their health and the environment.
  9. Check the admission criteria and cut-off distance – how likely is it that your child will be offered a place? You can check by clicking on the link in the school fact file in the primary admissions guide.
  10. Use all six preferences – make sure you include at least one local school.
  11. Ask the School Admissions team for advice – they can’t tell you which schools to apply for, but they can explain the admission criteria and check whether you would have got a place last year.
  12. Make sure you press ‘submit’ when you finish your online application. You should then receive a reference number confirming safe receipt.

If you need further advice, contact the School Admissions team.

Tel: 020 7527 5515

Email: admissions@islington.gov.uk

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