Before you list your school preferences on your application, you should consider which schools you would like your child to go to and whether your child has a realistic chance of getting a place at these schools.

What to consider when deciding about schools

Search for schools using our interactive map (primary schools only)

Click here to start using the Interactive map.

Find your catchment primary school and research other city primary schools using our interactive mapping tool. 

• Follow the links from the map to find out more about school transport and any pupil benefits which you may be entitled to.

Organise a school visit

The best way to decide how well a school might suit your child is to go and see it for yourself. Visit the schools you are interested in to get the feel of the school and judge whether it is the right environment for your child.

Secondary schools hold open evenings. Most infant, junior and or primary schools are happy to arrange a visit at your convenience.

Get a copy of the schools' prospectuses

• Each prospectus contains information about the values of the school, the curriculum and details of pupils' achievements. It also contains information about the school's dress code, discipline policy and other general information. Contact the school you are interested in to get a copy of their prospectus.

Consider your child's needs

• Does your child have special educational needs (SEN) that can be met at a mainstream school? If not you will need the support of the SEN team
• Think about how your child will get to and from school - it is your responsibility to make sure your child can get to and from school.

Assess your child's chances of getting a place at your preferred school/s 

• Study that school's admissions criteria and check which schools were oversubscribed (had more applications for places than they had places available) last year. Places in Nottingham city community schools will be offered to applicants who live in the school's catchment area first
• If you want to apply for a place at a school that was oversubscribed last year, but you do not live in the school's catchment area, find out how many children who lived outside the catchment area were offered a place last year. The further away from the school you live, the less likely you are to be offered a place.
• Some schools have specialist places such as for performing arts or technology and your child may need to take a test if you are applying for one of these places. Ask yourself whether your child has an aptitude for the subject being tested.

Read 'Going to School in Nottingham'

Going to School in Nottingham is our complete brochure of information to help you apply for your child's school place. We encourage all parents/carers to read through the booklet in order to gather as much information as possible about the application process.

 Going to School in Nottingham 2013/14 [6Mb]

Choice Advice Service

The Choice Advice service offers impartial guidance, support and information to any parent choosing a school for their child/children who live in Nottingham. Parents may find the service particularly useful when their child/children are in year 5 and 6 and moving on to secondary school. Click here for more information on the Choice Advice Service.

Apply for a school place

If you have considered the points above and have all the information you need, visit the 'how to apply for a school place' page..