• Visit / research your preferred schools

  Task · Due 8 weeks before your application deadline (this cycle)

  Open days cluster in autumn — go before you rank your choices.

• Submit your application

  Task · Due 7 days before your application deadline (this cycle)

  Apply via your local authority (not the school). Applying late drops you to the back of the queue. Nationally the deadline is 15 January — confirm your council's date.

  How to apply for a primary school place (GOV.UK)

• National Offer Day — school offer arrives

  Event · Starts 5 months before your reception start (first day)

  Around 16 April (the next working day if that falls on a weekend or bank holiday); you'll be told your allocated school.

• Accept the place (or decide on appeal/waiting list)

  Task · Due 5 months before your reception start (first day)

  Accept by the date in your offer letter or you risk losing the place.

• Buy uniform, PE kit & school shoes

  Task · Due 4 weeks before your reception start (first day)

  Label everything — sizes sell out through August, so don't leave it to the last week.

• Settling-in / taster visit

  Event · Starts 3 weeks before your reception start (first day)

  Most schools run a stay-and-play before term starts.

• Sort breakfast / after-school club

  Task · Due 6 weeks before your reception start (first day)

  Clubs fill up — book early if you need wraparound care.

• Complete school registration & consent forms

  Task · Due 2 weeks before your reception start (first day)

  Medical info, emergency contacts and photo consent.

Also included

• Uniform & kit

  Cost · £120.00 · One-off · Payment 4 weeks before your reception start (first day)

  A one-off outgoing for uniform, PE kit and shoes — a typical UK reception starter runs roughly £100–£150; adjust to what you actually spend.

• Welcome to your Starting School setup

  Guidance

  Two clocks here: the application deadline (your council's, usually mid-January) and term start in September. Confirm your council's exact dates — we've offset conservatively. This note creates nothing.