Secondary School
If your child was born between 1 September 2014 and 31 August 2015, They will start Secondary school in September 2026.
If your child attends Calder Primary School or The Halifax Academy Primary, they will automatically transfer into the Secondary School. You do not need to apply for a place unless you want them to go to another school.
Primary and Junior School
If your child was born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022, they can start Reception in September 2026.
You will need to apply for Junior School, if your child is in Year 2 at the following Infant Schools
| Infant School | Associated Junior School |
|---|---|
| Central Street Infant & Nursery School | Riverside Junior School |
| Stubbings Infant & Nursery School | Riverside Junior School |
| St Andrew’s CE (VA) Infant School | St Andrew’s CE (VA) Junior School |
| Tuel Lane Infant School | Christ Church CE (VA) Junior School |
If you want your child to go to any other school, you will need to complete an In Year Transfer in June.
School preferences
Parents of children living in Calderdale can express five preferences for schools, including schools in other local authority areas.
About our application system
Parents will need to apply on the Citizen Portal. If you have previously used the portal, you can log in using your email address and password. Please check under the ‘My account’ section that your address and contact details are still correct.
If you have not used the portal before, you will need to register before you can make your application.
You can make your application under the school places section by following the prompts on the screen. Please ensure you include any additional information to support your application.
Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an email confirmation.
Late Applications
Applications for Secondary school for September 2026 close at midnight on 31 October 2025.
Applications for Primary School for September 2026 close at midnight on 15 January 2026.
After this date you will not be able to apply on the Citizen Portal, you will have to apply via a Late Application.
These are considered after all applications received before the close date.
There are some exceptional circumstances where we may consider a late application as on time:
- A single parent living alone with their child has been ill for some time. The application must be supported by a doctor’s note and evidence of being a single parent.
- A house move over 3 miles (for Secondary) or 2 miles (for Primary) (straight line measurement) has been completed between 31 October 2025 and 31 December 2025 for Secondary) and 15 January 2026 and 15 February 2026 (for Primary). The application must be support by evidence, for example a solicitor’s letter confirming a house purchase or a tenancy agreement.
- Where a service family (or crown servants returning from overseas) is moving into the area after the closing date.
Further information
Check if you need to submit additional information to support your application
Secondary Schools
Some schools have specific oversubscription criteria that you may want to apply for a place under. These include
- Rastrick High School’s music criteria
- The Brooksbank School’s sports criteria
- Trinity Academy Halifax’s church criteria
You must visit the individual schools’ websites to complete any supplementary information forms to apply under these criteria.
You will need to apply for the Fair Banding assessment for your child to attend Trinity Academy Grammar or Trinity Academy Halifax. More information is available on the schools’ websites.
To apply for the grammar school Admission Test, you will need to apply direct to the schools. More information is on their websites.
Primary Schools
Some primary schools include church attendance as part of their criteria. Please visit the school website for more information and to submit a Supplementary Information Form (SIF)
Delaying your child’s school start
Most children start in Reception at Primary school in the September after they turn 4.
If you think your child is not ready to start school, you can delay their start date. Your child must start full time education after they reach compulsory school age.
Children reach compulsory school age on 31 December, 31 March or 31 August after turning 5 (whichever comes first). Your child would need to start full time from the first day of the next term after this date.
To delay entry until January or April, you will need to apply for a school place during the normal round. You can then discuss their delayed entry with the allocated school.
Your child can also start school part time but must go to full time once they reach compulsory school age. You can discuss your child attending part time with the allocated school.
Summer Born Children
If your child was born between 1 April and 31 August, they are classed as Summer Born. You can delay their entry until the September after they turn 5.
They would then either start in Year 1 with other children their age or they can start Reception.
Starting in Year 1
Your child can miss Reception and start in Year 1 with other children their age. If you want your child to start in Year 1, you do not need to apply for a Reception place. You will need to complete an In Year Transfer request in the June before you want them to start.
Starting in Reception
If you want your child to start in Reception after they turn 5, you need to ask for permission.
You need to apply for a Reception place for your child’s normal age group.
You also need to contact Calderdale School Admissions at cyps.admissions@calderdale.gov.uk with your request for your child to start school a year later.
You will then be sent a form to complete. This form needs returning along with any evidence to support your application by 15 January.
We will then arrange a panel to consider the request. The panel will include, where appropriate, representatives from:
- The Admission Authority.
- The Early Years Team
- The Special Educational Needs Team
- Virtual Schools
- The preferred school
When considering a request, the panel will look at:
- The parents’ views
- Information about the child’s academic, social and emotional development.
- Where relevant, the child’s medical history and the views of a medical professional.
- The view of the head teacher of the school.
- Information from any professional persons regarding the child’s best interests.
They will make decisions based on the individual circumstances in each case and the best interests of the child concerned.
If your request is agreed your application for the current year will be withdrawn. You would then need to reapply by 15 January the following year. There would be no guarantee that a place would be offered at the preferred school.
If your request is refused, the application which has already been submitted by 15th January will be processed.
When informing a parent of its decision, the Local Authority will set out clearly the reasons for its decision.
If you are unhappy with the outcome of your request, you can complain through the Local Authority’s complaints procedure.
Please note that each school will decide whether your child can apply for a place in a different year group. It’s possible for one school to refuse a request that another agrees to.
For more information from the government, see Summer born children starting school: advice for parents - GOV.UK
Adopted Children or children subject to a Special Guardianship Order (SGO)
If your child was previously looked after by a local authority, you will need to provide evidence to support your application. A copy of the Adoption Certificate or SGO can be sent to cyps.admissions@calderdale.gov.uk.