School

Steps

1. Find out your catchment before choosing your home. In England, proximity to the school often counts among the admission criteria; in Scotland, each school has its zone (catchment area) and your council generally allocates your child a place there.
2. Find out about schools: open days, inspection reports (Ofsted in England) and performance tables. Each school publishes its admission criteria and procedure on its website.
3. Apply through your local council (online or by form), even for a school in another council area (England and Wales). If you arrive during the school year, contact your council directly to find out which places are available.
4. In Scotland: depending on the council, you receive a letter confirming the place at the catchment school or you must enrol your child yourself. For another state school, submit a placing request (a request for an exception): it must be granted if there is room, and you can appeal a refusal.
5. Apply for free school meals and the support you are entitled to (see Costs).
6. Have qualifications recognised if needed (university entry, employment) through UK ENIC, which issues a certificate of comparability (Statement of Comparability).

Documents

• Proof of address: each council sets the documents it asks for to verify the catchment (the list is on its website, under school admissions). In England, a state school is not allowed to require your passport or visa as a condition of admission.
• The child's birth certificate or passport.
• Latest school reports and, if needed, the support plan of a child with special needs (in England, the school named in an EHC plan must admit the child).

Costs and timelines

• State school: free. Private schools (independent schools) are contacted directly.
• Meals in England: free for all reception, year 1 and year 2 pupils in state schools. Beyond that, subject to means testing; from the 2026-2027 school year, any child with a parent receiving Universal Credit is entitled to them, whatever the household income.
• Meals in Scotland: free for all P1 to P5 pupils in state schools; after that, depending on the benefits received.
• Nursery in England: up to 30 hours free per week from 9 months to 4 years if the parents work and earn more than a threshold (amount not given on the page), with a National Insurance number; 15 hours for 3-4 year olds under another scheme.
• Nursery in Scotland: up to 1,140 hours free per year for 3 to 5 year olds (about 22 hours a week all year round or 30 hours during term time).
• Calendar: term start dates and holidays are set by each council. In Scotland, the school year starts in August (for example, children born between 1 March 2022 and 28 February 2023 start primary school in August 2027).

Common pitfalls

• Signing a lease far from the target school. Places at oversubscribed schools often go to the families living closest: check the catchment before renting.
• Waiting until you arrive to find out. Applications for the new school year are made well before September, on dates set by your council; during the year, sometimes the only places left are at schools further away.
• Mixing up the systems. Classes and ages are not the same: reception, then year 1, year 2… in England; P1 to P7 in primary in Scotland, then secondary. In Scotland, a child who is still 4 at the start of the school year can defer entry by a year.
• Forgetting the leaving rules. In England, after 16, your child must stay in full-time study, in an apprenticeship, or work or volunteer at least 20 hours a week while in part-time training, until 18. In Scotland, the leaving date depends on the month of birth.
• Looking for a French school at the last minute. Schools accredited by the AEFE (the public network of French education abroad) have their own enrolment, which is fee-paying; French families can apply for a school grant through the consulate, subject to conditions. In October 2026, the AEFE directory (aefe.gouv.fr, "Établissements" section) lists 10 schools in the United Kingdom: nine in London, including the Lycée français Charles-de-Gaulle (run directly by the AEFE) and the École Jacques-Prévert (partner school under agreement), and the École française de Bristol. None in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.

What changes by country of origin

• All: enrolment in a state school goes through the council whatever your nationality. In England (Department for Education guidance, updated on 28 March 2024), a child living in the United Kingdom with parents who hold EU Settlement Scheme status or a work or study visa, or who are Irish, can attend a state school; the school cannot refuse a child because of their nationality or status, and it is up to the parents to check that their visa allows it. However, a child who entered as a visitor (up to 6 months) or with the 11-month Short-term Study visa has no right to enrol in a state school (only in an approved private school). In Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, admissions fall under each government: ask your local council.
• French citizens: school grants possible in AEFE-accredited schools, subject to conditions.
• Irish citizens: same enrolment rules; the Leaving Certificate can be compared by UK ENIC if needed.
• Wales and Northern Ireland: their own procedures (gov.wales and Northern Ireland's Education Authority); in Northern Ireland, you can leave school after 30 June of the school year in which you turn 16 (if the birthday falls between 2 July and 31 August, not before 30 June of the following year).