Introduction to in year admissions
The in-year process
The in-year admissions process is for parents who need to apply for a school place in Havering for their child during the school year.
This could be because they've just moved into the borough, or because they wish to transfer their child from one school to another within Havering.
If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), please note there's a different process for school transfers. You'll need to contact our Special Educational Needs Team directly at sen@havering.gov.uk to discuss changing your child's school.
By law, all children aged between 5 and 16 must receive an education.
This means your child must continue to attend their current school while the School Admissions Team processes your application for a new school place.
Applying for a Havering school
The Havering School Admissions Team processes applications for all schools within Havering.
You should list all the Havering schools you wish to apply for on our In-Year parent portal, ranking them in your preferred order.
We will only offer your child one school place, and where possible, this will be the highest-ranked school on your list.
Applying for schools outside Havering
If you want to apply for a school outside of Havering, you'll need to contact that borough directly and follow their application process.
Our processing times
We aim to process your application and notify you of the outcome within 10 school days of receiving your completed form.
In accordance with the School Admissions Code, you will receive written notification of the decision within a maximum of 15 school days.
Please note that school holidays are not counted as school days.
School place offers
If there are vacancies at the schools you've requested, we will offer your child a place at the highest-ranked school on your application where a place is available.
We expect your child to start at the new school within 10 school days of our offer.
If we can't offer your child a place at your preferred school(s), we'll automatically add their name to the waiting list for any schools you ranked higher than the school we offered.
In cases where a child does not appear to be receiving an education in Havering, we will allocate them a place at the closest school to their home address with a vacancy.
Your right to appeal
You have the right to appeal for any schools you listed on your application that we were unable to offer your child a place at.
All Havering schools, except St Edwards Church of England Academy, use our online appeal form.
If you wish to appeal for St Edwards Church of England Academy, you'll need to contact the school directly to obtain their appeal form.
Applications for children from overseas
If you are moving to the UK from abroad, please ensure that your child’s immigration status or visa conditions permit them to access state-funded education in the UK before applying.
The School Admissions Team processes all applications in accordance with the School Admissions Code and does not evaluate visa status as part of the admissions decision.
However, parents remain legally responsible for ensuring compliance with UK visa and entry conditions.