This page relates to children born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022. If your child's date of birth does not fall between these dates see our where to start page.
The page is about the admissions process to apply for your child to start Primary School, Reception from September 2026.
Before you apply
Make sure you read all the information below before completing your application.
This process is for Bracknell Forest residents only. If you are not a Bracknell Forest resident, you must apply to your home local authority. This applies no matter what school you wish to apply for.
If your child is born on or between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022 you can now apply for them to start school (reception from September 2026).
The application process to start primary school (reception) from September 2026:
- opens on Wednesday 5 November 2025
- closes on Thursday 15 January 2026
Before applying, you must read The Guide to Primary Education 2026 to 2027. When you submit your application, you are confirming that you have read and understood this guide.
If you are considering schools outside Bracknell Forest, you must read the admissions arrangements for the relevant school.
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How to apply
Apply online from Wednesday 5 November using the Citizen Portal.
Unless you have applied previously for an older sibling, you will need to create an account.
It is important to note that:
- the online site (Citizen Portal) is down every day between midnight and 2am
- for any technical issues, such as password resets, email application.support@bracknell-forest.gov.uk - School Admissions cannot reset your account
- the Citizens Portal will close on Thursday 15 January 2026
Apply for a primary school place
Supporting documents
These can be uploaded to your online application or emailed to School Admissions school.admissions@bracknell-forest.gov.uk.
Birth certificates and proof address
Birth certificates and proof of address documents must be submitted with your application to Bracknell Forest School Admissions.
Do not send birth certificates and proof of address documents to schools or other local authorities.
Supplementary forms for Bracknell Forest schools
Bracknell Forest School Admissions will forward documents to Bracknell Forest schools if they are part of the admission arrangements (for example, social and medical forms).
The forms below are the supplementary forms for Bracknell Forest schools.
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Supplementary forms for schools outside Bracknell Forest
You must send any documents which are part of their admission arrangements directly to the admission authority. Bracknell Forest School Admissions will not send these to schools outside Bracknell Forest.
This does not apply to birth certificates and proof of address documents. These are only to be sent to Bracknell Forest School Admissions.
It is your responsibility to make sure you have read the relevant admission arrangements and submitted any additional information required directly to that admission authority.
What happens next
On time applications
Received between Wednesday 5 November 2025 and Thursday 15 January 2026.
After submitting your application
Make sure all your supporting documents are submitted before the closing date.
Check your emails regularly. School Admissions may contact you for more information to verify your application.
Receiving your offer
You will receive your offer of a school place by email on Thursday 16 April 2026.
School Admissions will not confirm offers over the phone.
After receiving your offer
When you receive your offer, you need to finalise your application by accepting or refusing the school place offered. This must be done by Thursday 30 April 2026.
Failure to do so may result in the school place offered being withdrawn.
More details will be provided with your offer.
After responding to your offer
When we have received responses from all our residents and have co-ordinated with other local authorities, information will begin to be sent to schools.
Schools will begin to make contact to arrange your child's start.
Late applications
Received after Thursday 15 January 2026.
After submitting your application
Make sure all your supporting documents are submitted alongside your application.
Check your emails regularly. School Admissions may contact you for more information to verify your application.
Receiving your offer
If you have applied before Thursday 30 April 2026, your outcome letter will be sent to you shortly after Thursday 7 May 2026.
School Admissions will not confirm offers over the phone.
After receiving your offer
When you receive your offer, you need to finalise your application by accepting or refusing the school place offered. More details will be provided with your offer.
Failure to refuse or accept your offer may result in the school place offered being withdrawn.
After responding to your offer
When we have received responses from all our residents and have co-ordinated with other local authorities, information will begin to be sent to schools.
Schools will begin to make contact to arrange your child's start.