When do we find out primary school places in Birmingham 2022? Date of National Offer day - and how to appeal

Here is everything you need to know about the application process, how you will find out about which schools have accepted your child, and how to appeal decisions.

What’s the application process?

The process for applying to primary schools in Birmingham for the September 2022 school year started back in October 2021.

The window for applications was open until 15 January 2022.

Within the application, you can list up to three preferred schools that you would like your child to attend.

The city council runs a co-ordinated admissions scheme with neighbouring local authorities.

If you are applying for schools in another local authority then the city council recommends that you contact them for their admissions arrangements as this will help you to decide if your application is likely to be successful.

How do schools decide who gets in?

There is a range of admission criteria which schools use when deciding who to offer places too.

This criteria can differ depending on the school, but some of the most common criteria is how close does the child live to the school, do they have any brothers or sisters already at the school and has a parent worked at the school for two years or more?

There is a list of admission arrangements for each school in Birmingham. When selecting the three schools, parents are encouraged to look at this criteria and to select realistic options for their children.

To view these arrangements, visit the Birmingham City Council website 

When do I find out my child’s primary school place in Birmingham?

For parents who applied online and left an email address to be contacted on, you will receive an email from Birmingham City Council on 19 April to tell you which school your child has been offered.

Although the council cannot guarantee when this email will arrive, they expect parents to receive it by 4pm.

A formal letter will also be sent out on 19 April via first class post, it is recommended that you allow two working days for this to arrive.

On the letter there will be instructions on how to accept and reject the offers made.

How do I appeal if the school isn’t suitable?

If your child is refused a place at a school, you have a right to appeal the decision.

The letter with your child’s offers will have steps on how to lodge this appeal.

Each rejection must be a separate appeal, and it is only possible to appeal once against each rejection.

If you have questions, you can contact the School Admissions and Fair Access Service on 0121 303 1888 or [email protected]

Until 30 September 2022 appeal hearings will be carried out remotely via Microsoft Teams, this is according to Birmingham City Council.