Late applications

If you apply after the national closing dates without a good reason we will deal with it after we deal with the ‘on time’ preferences.

If 'on time' applications fill all the places in your preferred school, we might have to offer your child a place at another school. This may not be your community area school nor the same school as a brother or sister.

Not knowing about the closing date or forgetting to apply are not good reasons for applying late.

If you have a good reason for applying late (for example you move house) we can consider your case as 'on time' if:

  1. we receive your application by:
  • 31 January 2024 (secondary)
  • 15 March 2024 (primary) and

2. you supply independent supporting evidence as to why you applied late.

In the case of a house move we will require

  • a solicitor’s letter confirming exchange of contracts or
  • a signed tenancy agreement clearly showing the move took place after the closing date.

If there is no proof, or we do not consider the reason valid, we will treat the application as late.

There is no separate right of appeal against a decision which deems an application as 'on time' or late.

This applies to community and voluntary controlled schools. Own admission authority schools may consider late applications differently.

All late applications we receive by:

  • 31 January 2024 (secondary)
  • 15 March 2024 (primary)

will get a decision at the same time as those who applied ‘on time’.

If you are new to the system, you will need to create an account to start the process. You can save your progress and sign in to your school account to continue your application.

See How do I create an account?

When you submit your application we will email you to confirm receipt.

If you can’t apply online

Please contact the Admissions and Transport team for a paper application or download a copy below. Complete your form and send it to:

Admissions and Transport Team
County Hall
St Anne’s Crescent
Lewes BN7 1UE
Phone: 0300 33 09 472 between 10am to 3pm Monday to Friday
Email: Admissions and Transport team

If we receive more than one application for the same child before the closing date, we will use the latest application submitted.

East Sussex schools application form [88.4 KB] [docx]

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