United Kingdom public school guide

How to choose a public school

• You apply through the local council

  In England you apply for state schools through the council where you live (or will live), even for schools elsewhere, listing schools in order of preference. Each school has admission criteria such as distance, siblings or faith.

  Source:GOV.UK (checked 2026-10-31)

• School types: community, academy, grammar, faith, independent

  State school is free for ages 5-16. Academies are trust-run but follow the same admissions rules; grammar schools select by an ability test; faith schools may have their own criteria; independent schools charge fees.

  Source:GOV.UK (checked 2026-07-15)

Reading official ratings

• Ofsted: report cards from November 2025

  From 10 November 2025 inspections produce report cards with a five-point scale per area (urgent improvement to exceptional). Earlier reports use another format, so read the date and format. Local authority pages show counts from Ofsted's management information (as of 2026-09-30) as published.

  Source:Ofsted (GOV.UK) (checked 2026-10-31)Ofsted (checked 2026-09-30)

English support

• Ask the school about EAL support

  Support for pupils learning English as an additional language (EAL) differs by school; ask when visiting or applying.

  General guidance · confirm with the district or school

Timeline

• Normal round: primary 15 January, secondary 31 October

  Primary (reception) opens in September, closes 15 January, offers 16 April; secondary usually opens 1 September, closes 31 October, offers 1 March. Places start in September.

  Source:GOV.UK (checked 2026-10-31)

• In-year applications at any time

  Arriving mid-year, ask the council about an in-year application. Hampshire, for example, says schools aim to reply within 10 school days and must respond in writing within 15; procedures differ by council.

  Source:GOV.UK (checked 2026-10-31)Hampshire County Council (checked 2025-09-01)

Fees and visas

• State school is free; visitor visas cannot enrol

  Parents check the child's right to study in the UK before applying; state schools and councils do not check passports or immigration status. Children on the visitor route (up to 6 months) or the short-term study (English) visa cannot enrol at a state-funded school.

  Always confirm your own situation with the official authority or an immigration professional.

  Source:Department for Education (GOV.UK) (checked 2026-10-31)GOV.UK (checked 2026-07-15)

Enrolment steps

Follow them in order. Each step carries its official source and the date we checked it.

1. 1

   Check the right to study

   Parents first check the child's right to study in the UK; schools do not check it.

   Always confirm your own situation with the official authority or an immigration professional.

   Source:Department for Education (GOV.UK) (checked 2026-10-31)

2. 2

   Find the council and schools

   On the council's website, find state schools and each school's admission criteria; compare with Ofsted reports and visits.

   Source:GOV.UK (checked 2026-10-31)

3. 3

   Prepare proof of address

   Show an intended move with a rental or purchase agreement or an employer letter with a transfer date. Without a UK address, distance may be measured from the overseas address, which can lower priority.

   Source:Department for Education (GOV.UK) (checked 2026-10-31)

4. 4

   Apply through the council

   Apply in the normal round (primary by 15 January, secondary by 31 October) or in-year, listing schools in order of preference.

   Source:GOV.UK (checked 2026-10-31)Hampshire County Council (checked 2025-09-01)

5. 5

   Accept the offer or appeal

   Accept the offer by the deadline in the letter; a refusal can be appealed to an independent panel.

   Source:GOV.UK (checked 2026-10-31)Department for Education (GOV.UK) (checked 2026-10-31)

This page organises official information. It does not decide eligibility or placement.

Districts by state or region

• England153 districts