Starting School
When does my child need to start school?
A child can start school from the September following their 4th birthday. They are of compulsory school age at the start of the school term following their 5th birthday.
Dorset County Council Guidance on how to apply for a school place:
Starting school for the first time - Dorset CouncilApply for a school place in Reception: Synergy - Enquiry
School admissions team contact details
Dorset County Council
School Admissions
County Hall, Colliton Park
Dorchester, DT1 1XJ
Telehone: 01305 221060
Fax: 01305 228635
Email: admissions@dorsetcc.gov.uk
Admission form for In Year Applications:
Microsoft Word - In Year application form (1)
Admission Appeals:
Appeal a school admission decision - Dorset Council
| Offer letters posted to parents and carers on National Offer Day by Local Authority | 16 April 2026 |
| Deadline for acceptance of the offer by parents and carers | 30 April 2026 |
| Deadline for lodging an on-time admission appeal | 14 June 2026 |
| Appealing hearing dates |
Between 8 June and 16 July 2025 |
Please be aware that:
- appeals lodged after these dates will be heard within 40 school days of the appeal deadline or 30 school days of being lodged, whichever is the later date
- you will receive at least 10 school days’ notice of your appeal hearing date. School days do not include school holidays, inset days, bank holidays or weekends
- appeals are heard during the daytime on weekdays and are not normally heard during school holidays. Where there are multiple appeals for places at the same school, the hearings may go over a number of days
- the school’s case will be made available to parents and Panel members at least 5 school days before the start of the appeal hearing
- additional evidence may be submitted up to 5 working days before the hearing
- any additional evidence received after this date might not be considered at the appeal hearing. The Appeal Panel must decide whether it should be considered, taking into account its significance and the effect of a possible need to adjourn the hearing
- following the hearing, decision letters will be sent, where possible, within 5 school days of the end of the hearing. During busy periods, such as main entry, full decision letters may take longer than this, so the Clerk will send a brief decision summary email in the interim
- appeal hearings for in-year places will be heard within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged