Junior (Year 3) school place offer for September 2026

Frequently asked questions

How will I find out if my child has been offered a year 3 place

If you applied for a Year 3 place online by the closing date of 15 January 2026, and you provided a valid email address on your application form, you will receive your offer by email on 16 April 2026.

If you did not provide a valid email address on your application form, your offer letter will be posted on 16 April 2026. Please allow 2 to 3 working days for your letter to arrive.

If you applied after the closing day of 15 January 2026, please visit Changing your application or making a late application to find out when your application will be considered.

If you still need to apply, you will need to make a late application.

Why haven’t I received my offer e-mail

If you applied online but have not received your e-mail, please check:

• your spam or junk folder
• whether your mail-box is full
• that your e-mail address hasn’t changed since you made your online application.

You can still view your child’s offer by logging in to the Education Online Portal.

What do I do if my email has changed since I applied

Your email will have been sent to the email address you provided on your application. If you have since changed your email address, you can still log on to the Education Online Portal to view your child’s school offer using the old e-mail address.

If you think you should have received an email offer and none of the above apply, contact the Admissions Team [email protected]

How do I accept the place offered to my child

There is no need for you to accept the place that has been offered – acceptance is automatic, including for schools in other local authorities. The school will contact you with details of the arrangements for your child’s admission.

What if I no longer require the place

If you no longer require the place offered, please let us know as soon as possible by emailing [email protected], including details of what alternative arrangements have been made for your child’s schooling. If you decline your place, you are responsible for finding an alternative school place for your child. You are strongly advised to hold onto this offer until you have secured an alternative school place.

What about transport to and from school

The County Council may be able to offer help with school transport where the national eligibility criteria are met. For more information, please visit the Travel to School page. The deadline for School Transport applications is 31 May 2026.

I didn’t get my preferred choice; can I join a school waiting list

• Your child’s name will automatically be added to the waiting list for any Hampshire school where your application was unsuccessful.
• Year 3 waiting lists for all Hampshire schools will be established on 30 April 2026 and for all community and voluntary controlled schools, will be maintained until 31 August 2027.
• Please note that if you are offered a place from a school’s waiting list, any previous offer will be automatically withdrawn. If you are happy with your current offer and wish to be removed from other school waiting lists, you must let us know by emailing [email protected].

If you wish to be added to the waiting list for a non-Hampshire school, you will need to contact the local authority for that school.

How can I find out where my child is on the waiting list

You can contact the Admissions Team on 0300 555 1377 from 1 May 2026, to find your child’s position on the waiting list for any Hampshire school.

Waiting lists can change as places are offered and new applications received. The information we provide is therefore only accurate at the time it is provided.

For waiting lists of schools in other local authorities, you should contact the school directly.

Can I appeal if I am unhappy with the allocated school place

You have the right of appeal to an independent appeal panel against the refusal of a place at any higher preference school named on your application where you were unsuccessful. To appeal for a place at a Hampshire community or voluntary controlled school, see our guidance to complete the online appeal form.

Appeals for Hampshire community and voluntary controlled schools will be heard from 1 June to 22 July 2026. You must return your completed appeal forms by 21 May 2026 to ensure that your appeal is heard during these dates.

More information can be found in our guidance for appeals.

For academies, voluntary aided, foundation, and trust schools in Hampshire, please contact the school. 

For a school outside of Hampshire, please contact the home authority.

We advise that you hold on to the place you have been allocated until you have secured another school place.

Who to contact if I have further questions

You can email us at [email protected], or call the enquiry team on 0300 555 1377.

On Thursday16 April 2025, phone lines will open at 8:30am and close at 5pm

From Friday 17 April, normal opening hours will resume which are 8:30am to 2pm Monday to Friday.