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Apply to change school during the school year


If you're moving house, moving into County Durham, or have another reason for wanting to change schools, the information on this page will help.

Apply for a primary school change because of a house move

Apply for a change of primary school because you are moving house

Please note, this form is not for a primary school transfer for any other reason other than a house move and is not for a secondary school transfer.

Once your application has been received, we'll contact you within 10 school days to let you know the outcome.

Secondary school transfers and primary school transfers for reasons other than a house move

Before applying to move secondary schools or primary schools for any reason other than a house move, please read the  Icon for pdf Why change schools? - information leaflet for parents and carers (PDF, 128.1kb) . Once you have read this, if you still want to move schools, you should contact us for an application form.

You will need to tell us if the application is for a transfer to primary or secondary school so that we can make sure we send you the correct form. You will need to complete Sections A-G, and then forward the whole form to your child's current school (or most recent previous school if they are not currently attending) for them to complete Section H. Once completed, you can email it to schooladmissions@durham.gov.uk. Once your application has been received, we'll contact you within 10 school days to let you know the outcome.

If your child has a statement of Special Educational Needs (SEN) or an Education, Health and Care Plan please contact the SEND team on 03000 265878 for further advice.

Successful applications

Your child will be expected to start at their new school within two school weeks of the offer being made. If there are going to be significant delays in your child starting, we may have to remove the offer. In such instances, you will need to reapply, and it may be the case that there is no longer a place that can be offered at your preferred school.

Unsuccessful applications

If we cannot offer you a place at your chosen school we will add your child's name to the school's waiting list if you want us to. You can also Appeal against the offer of a school place decision. Please note, some schools are their own admissions authority and will need to be contacted directly for waiting lists and appeals. We can tell you if this is the case with any of the schools you have applied for.

Travel to school following a change of school

If the school is now not your nearest suitable school, you may be affected by our home to school transport policies.

Applying for a school place for the start of a school year

If your child is due to start primary or secondary school, you should check Timelines and important dates for primary school applications or Timelines and important dates for secondary school applications for when school place applications open.

Contact us
School places and admissions
03000 265 896
Our address is:
  • School Places and Admissions
  • Children and Young People's Services
  • Green Lane
  • Spennymoor
  • County Durham
  • United Kingdom
  • DL16 6JQ