Waiting lists for school places
How waiting lists work
If your child did not get a place at your preferred school, they will be added to the waiting list for each refused school.
You may be asked later if you want to stay on the waiting list. If you do not respond by the deadline, your child’s name will be removed.
Your child’s position on the waiting list will be prioritised according to the admissions criteria in the admissions policy.
It's important to note that a child’s position on the waiting list can change, moving both up or down, as children either join or are removed from the waiting list.
No priority is given based on the length of time on the waiting list. They must be ordered by oversubscription criteria.
Changes to your circumstances
If you have any change of circumstance, such as:
- a change of address,
- a change of school for a sibling
Please contact the admissions team immediately.
This could impact on the position your child holds on a school’s waiting list.
If you are unsuccessful for a school outside of Portsmouth
We do not operate waiting lists for schools in Hampshire or other schools outside Portsmouth. Contact the relevant local authority directly for information about their waiting list arrangements.
Contact us
If you need further guidance for this process, contact the admissions team at admissions@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or on 023 9268 8008 (via the City Helpdesk).