Parents and carers in Hampshire with children due to start Reception Year (Year R) or move to Year 3 at a junior school in September 2026 can now apply for school places. Applications are open until 15 January 2026.

To give your child the best chance of being offered a place at a preferred school, you should name three schools on your application. This simple step can make a big difference.

Councillor Steve Forster, Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Education, said: “Every year, thousands of families trust us with one of the most important decisions in their child’s early life. By naming three school preferences, parents give themselves the best chance of securing a place at one of their preferred choices.

“It’s a vital part of the process, and we urge all families to take full advantage of it and apply by the important deadline of 15 January.”
Over the past six years, 97 per cent of children were offered a place at one of the three preferred schools, and between 90 and 93 per cent secured a place at their first choice.

This year, parents are also being advised that the County Council’s online application portal will be offline between 12 to 15 November, due to scheduled maintenance, and to plan ahead to avoid delays in submitting or updating applications.

To improve the chance of receiving a place at a preferred school, parents are advised to:
•    Use the School Catchment Area Finder to check their local school.
•    Research schools using admission policies and past data.
•    Include their catchment school if they plan to apply for transport assistance.
•    Use all three preferences in the application.

Following the application deadline of 15 January 2026, parents who have applied on time will be notified of the outcome on 16 April – National Offer Day.

Parents can apply online and also find more guidance at the County Council’s school admissions pages.