Admissions
Admissions
In September 2025 we became part of the Yorkshire Learning Trust family of schools, and YLT became part of the admissions authority for our school. You can read more about YLT on the Trust website.
All children can start school in the September before their 5th birthday. You should apply for your child to start primary or infant school by the 15th of January in the school year your child turns 4. For entry in the September 2026 school year, children will have been born between 1st September 2021 and 31st August 2022. Later start dates are possible and can be discussed with the headteacher.
Admissions Policies and Published Admissions Number (PAN)
The Published Admission Number (PAN) is the number of pupils it is intended to admit into the first year group of school (Reception). Our PAN for September 2025 and September 2026 is 30 places.
You can find more documents on the Local Authority website.
If you are considering Bishopthorpe Infants School for your child for next September then please get in touch to visit for a tour of school.
Please see full details of our admission arrangements below:
Applications are processed by the Local Authority, City of York Council. Your application must be made to the local authority in which you live, that you currently pay your council tax to, even if your school of preference is not in that area. You apply through your local council even if you’re applying for schools in another council area, then they will forward your application to the relevant local authority – in our case, City of York Council.
Will your child start reception in September 2026?
Applications for a place in Reception starting in September 2026 opened on 12th September 2025. Please note that applying early does not give any priority, although to have the best chance of your application being successful you should complete and submit your application by the deadline which is the 12th January 2026. Late applications can still be made after this date. National Offer Day is the 16th April 2026, or the next working day.
Applications for entry into reception can be made by using the online form to apply for a school place.
If you can’t apply online you can request a paper Primary Application Form by calling 01904 551 554. Forms are also distributed to primary schools and nurseries in the York area.
Please read the Guide for Parents applying for a school place, as it contains key information on school admissions. You can also find the Guide to School Catchment Areas online. We also advise you to keep checking on the City of York Council Admissions site to keep updated with key dates throughout the year.
Applying for a place in junior school
If you would like to apply for a place at a Archbishop York Junior School from Year 3 you should do so by 15th January when your child is in Year 2.
Please visit Archbishop of York Junior School's website for more information:
In-year Admissions
If you are moving into or across the York area, or you are simply requesting a change of school, this type of school admission is called an in-year transfer. The City of York Admissions team also coordinate requests for in-year admissions and you can read more about the process on the CYC website.
School Admission Appeals
If you've been refused a school place for your child, you can appeal for a school place. More information regarding refused a school place and appeal for a school place, can be found on the School admissions appeals page of the CYC website.
Admissions Consultations
Consultation on Yorkshire Learning Trust (City of York) schools’ admission arrangements 2027/28
Schools have a statutory duty to consult on admission arrangements every 7 years or when making changes to their admission arrangements.
Yorkshire Learning Trust (YLT) carried out a consultation on the admission arrangements for its schools in the City of York local authority area for the 2027-28 school year which was open between 20th October 2025 and 3rd December 2025. During this period, the views of parents/carers, schools, staff, neighbouring authorities and other interested parties were sought.
Following this period of consultation, the admission arrangements will be considered by the YLT Trust Board alongside any comments made. The admission arrangements will be formally set or “determined” by 28th February 2026.
Determined policies will be published on the YLT website by 15th March 2026.
You can find more information and documents regarding school admissions on the Local Authority website.