City of York Council | Parent Portal
Applications for school places and free school meals can be made on the Parent Portal.
To make an application you can create a new account or log in to an existing account at the top left side of this page. Please ensure that you remember your username (email address) and password.
The Parent Portal page will be closed for scheduled maintenance from 1st August 2025. We apologise for any inconvenience this causes. We expect to resume normal service from 12pm on 8th August 2025.
If you wish to apply for a school place or Free School Meals during this period, you may email education@york.gov.uk who can send you an application.
If you need support, then please contact: education@york.gov.uk or 01904 551554 option 2
There are two types of school application which are explained below:
In-Year applications
In-year applications are made when a child has already started school, when a move is required during the school year and for year groups other than those allocated during the national admissions round. Before submitting an in-year application please be aware that we are only able to accept applications up to 20 school days in advance of a school place being required. If we receive an application earlier than this, we will inform you that the application has been declined and ask you to reapply at a future date.
You must be certain that you wish for a new school to be allocated before submitting your application. We are unable to guarantee that a previous school place can be reinstated if you change your mind, as it may have been reallocated to another child.
If your child has an Education Health and Care Plan, please contact SENdept@york.gov.uk regarding your request to move schools.
Online applications for 2024-25 school year cannot be accepted after 23rd June 2025.
In Year applications for September 2025 (not Reception or Year 7) can be made from 9th June 2025, these will be downloaded from 16th June 2025. We aim to allocate school places before the start of the 2025 school year however depending on when you apply and the information within your application, this cannot be guaranteed.
Year of Entry/Annual Round applications
An application can be made when a child is starting primary school for the first time (Reception Year), when a child is moving from an infant to a junior school and when a child is starting secondary school for the first time (in Year 7). Your application must be made to the local authority in which you live, even if your schools of preference are not in that area. Only persons resident in York and with parental responsibility can apply here.
Please see below dates for a Year of Entry application. The application process begins in September of the previous school year.
Finding out your allocated school for Year of Entry/Annual Round applications
To find out your child’s allocated school on National Offer Day please Sign In. You will require your username (email address) and password. Any changes made after National Offer Day will not be shown on the Parent Portal.
Submitting your application
Please be aware that an application may only be submitted by someone who has parental responsibility for the child. If parental responsibility is shared, we require agreement from all parties. We would advise all parents/carers to read the Guide for Parents before submitting an application.
Apply for free school meals
If you wish to apply for free school meals for your child please sign in at the top left of this page. You will require your username (email address) and password. If you have not used Parent Portal before you must create an account above. For further information about free school meals including eligibility please go to our website here.
The data you provide via this service will be used in accordance with our privacy notice.
If you have any problems whilst using this portal please contact us.
City of York Council | School Admissions | West Offices, Station Rise, York YO1 6GA | 01904 551554 | education@york.gov.uk