You can normally list schools in another local-authority area, but you still submit the main application to the council where your child lives.
Apply through the council where you live
Your home local authority coordinates your application, including preferences for schools in neighbouring council areas. The councils exchange the information needed to process those preferences.
Do not submit a second Common Application Form to the other council unless your home council specifically instructs you to do so.
Check the school-specific requirements
The school still applies its own published admission criteria. Distance, priority areas, entrance tests, faith evidence and supplementary forms may affect how the application is ranked.
- Read the policy for the correct admission year.
- Check how distance is measured and whether a priority area applies.
- Complete any test registration or supplementary form separately.
- Test whether the daily journey remains practical.
- Add the out-of-area school to your home council application.
- Check the school’s current policy and separate deadlines.
- Submit any additional form to the correct organisation.
- Keep confirmation of every submission.
Keep the journey moving by comparing schools, checking deadlines and saving the guide that matches your route.
Back to guides →