Admissions

Primary school

For you as a parent, the decision about which school to choose is one of the biggest you'll make in your life.  Given the importance of the decision, it's easy to feel overwhelmed.  However, if you're armed with the facts and knowledge in advance, the process should be easier to manage and less stressful!

• Your child must be in full time education no later than the start of term following his/her 5th birthday.
• You must complete a Common Application Form (CAF) or apply online in order to apply for a primary school place.  Up to 3 preferences can be entered.  Application forms are available from the Admissions and Access Team of Slough Borough Council in the January of the year your child will start school.
• You will usually be informed of the outcome of your application by the end of March and you will need to formally accept or decline shortly after.
• All schools in Slough have an equal preference system for admissions.  This means that all applications, irrespective of preference, are considered equally against the admissions criteria.  Admission criteria, catchment areas and appeal information are available in the Parent's Guide issued by the Admissions and Access Team.
• If you live in Slough but wish to apply for a school outside the borough, you will need to contact the LA in which that school falls and request one of their CAFs.
• There is no automatic transfer from nursery to primary school.  You must still apply.
• Slough has a Choice Adviser who can assist you with making the right choices or clarifying the process should you ever get stuck.  Contact the Admissions and Access Team for more details.

Secondary school

As your child's primary school years end, you'll begin thinking about secondary school places.  We understand the secondary admission decision making process is of massive importance to you and your child.  Take a look at our summary and make use of all available resources to ensure you maximise your chances of getting the school you and your child want.

• In Slough, children transfer to secondary school when they are 11.
• You must complete a Common Application Form (CAF) or apply online in order to apply for a secondary school place.  It is important that you provide 6 preferences (including Grammar schools and schools in other Local Authority areas).  Application forms are available from the Admissions and Access Team of Slough Borough Council.
• If you want your child to attend a grammar school, they must be entered for the 11+ test. 
• There are 4 Grammar schools in Slough - Slough Grammar, Herschel Grammar, Langley Grammar and St. Bernard's Catholic Grammar.
• Herschel Grammar, Langley Grammar and St. Bernard's Catholic Grammar have a common testing procedure and the 11+ exam is held in early November. 
• Slough Grammar's selection test differs from the other Grammars and the 11+ exam is held in September. 
• Registration forms for the 11+ test must be obtained from the Grammar schools direct or downloaded from their website.
• You must ensure you register your child for the 11+ even if you have entered a Grammar school on your CAF.
• The Grammar schools will let parents know the results of 11+ tests as soon as they are available.
• Slough Borough Council will inform you of the outcome of your admission application, usually in early March.
• All applications will be fairly considered against the individual school's admission criteria.  Admission criteria, catchment areas and appeal information are available in the Parent's Guide issued by the Admissions and Access Team.
• If you live outside of Slough, but wish to apply to a Slough school, you are welcome to do so.  This must be done on your home Local Authority's CAF.
• Slough has a Choice Adviser who can assist you with making the right choices or clarifying the process should you ever get stuck.  Contact the Admissions and Access Team for more details.