Guidance notes for applying during the school year

Read this guidance before you start your application in the Bexley Parent and Carer Portal. You will need to upload documents as part of your application. Have them ready before you start. Your application may be delayed if documents are missing or unclear.

1. Who can apply

The person applying must have parental responsibility for the child.

The child must live at the address you use in the application when you apply.

We cannot use a future address or a temporary address.

If both parents share parental responsibility, we would usually use the address of the parent who receives Child Benefit. If parental responsibility has changed recently, you will usually need to upload a copy of a court order or other legal evidence.

We cannot decide disputes about parental responsibility or child custody.

If you are not the parent or a close relative, you must upload legal documentation to confirm the arrangement. You are also required to register with London Borough of Bexley Children’s Social Care on 0208 303 5440 or by making a referral to children's social care.

If you are not the child’s parent or a close relative (grandparent, sibling, aunt, uncle, step-parent), you must upload legal documentation confirming the arrangement.

2. If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan

Children with an active EHCP cannot apply through the Bexley Parent and Carer Portal.

Contact your child’s SEN case officer to discuss transferring schools.

3. Schools you must apply to directly

Some schools manage their own in-year admissions and waiting lists.

Check the list of schools you must apply to directly before you apply.

4. Documents you need

You must upload copies of your documents when you apply.

Do not upload original documents.

You can upload a PDF, scan, photo or screenshot. The document must be clear and show the name and address where relevant.

We may ask for more evidence if we need it.

Documents to upload

Your situation	Documents you must upload
All applicants	One document showing your child’s date of birth, such as a birth certificate or current passport. We do not accept expired passports.
All applicants	One document showing your current address, such as a council tax bill dated within the last 6 months, current tenancy agreement, GP registration letter, or current HMRC or DWP letter (this includes child benefit & working tax credit).
You have moved into Bexley or moved within Bexley	Proof of your new address, such as an opening utility bill for water, gas, electricity or broadband.
You have moved into Bexley or moved within Bexley	Proof that you have left your previous address, such as a closing utility bill for water, gas, electricity or broadband, or final council tax bill.
You have not moved recently	A current utility bill dated within the last 6 months, such as water, gas, electricity or broadband.
Your child has moved to Bexley from overseas	Proof of arrival, such as your child’s flight boarding card or immigration stamp in their passport.
You live with family members or relatives	Evidence showing you live at that address, such as a GP registration letter or bank statement dated within the last 3 months.
You are not the child’s parent	Proof of your relationship to the child and evidence that you have delegated parental responsibility.
You are not the child’s parent or a close relative	Legal documentation confirming the arrangement.
Your child is looked after or previously looked after	A letter from the local authority or social worker confirming the child's status.
You, your child, or their sibling has a health-related condition relevant to your application	A letter from a GP, medical consultant, or specialist detailing the exact health needs.

5. Applying for grammar schools during the school year

The Bexley in-year test is for children in Years 7 to 9 who want to apply for a Bexley grammar school.

The test is usually held 4 times each academic year (Autumn, Winter, Spring & Summer). For each test, 1 of the 4 grammar schools will host the test at their school.

Your child can only take the in-year test once in an academic year.

You must apply through the Bexley Parent and Carer Portal and list the grammar schools you want to apply for.

Your child must pass the in-year test before they can be added to a grammar school waiting list.

Passing the test does not guarantee a place.

If your child is in Year 7 and did not pass the Bexley selection test in Year 6, they cannot take the in-year test until the summer term of Year 7.

Check each grammar school’s website for test dates, deadlines and other requirements:

6. Applications for children from overseas

If your child is a foreign national, you are responsible for checking that your child has the right to study at a state-funded school in England. Children may be breaching their UK entry conditions by entering the country to attend a state funded school if they do not have an immigration status that permits such study.

The council and schools do not have responsibility to check your eligibility before offering a place.

Check government guidance on school applications for children from overseas.

7. If your child does not have a school place

Bexley residents

If your child lives in Bexley and is not on roll at a school, we will try to offer an alternative school if we cannot offer one of your preferred schools.

This will usually be a school with a vacancy within a reasonable travel distance (45 mins for primary and 75 mins for secondary, each way) from your application address.

Check government guidance on travel to school.

Families who live outside Bexley

If your child does not live in Bexley and is without a school place, you should also contact your home local authority.

Your home local authority is responsible for making sure your child has a school place if Bexley cannot offer one of your preferred schools.

8. Waiting lists

Waiting lists are ordered using each school’s published oversubscription criteria.

Waiting lists are kept until the end of the academic year in which the application was made.

All secondary schools in Bexley manage their own waiting lists. Contact the secondary schools directly if you want to check your position.

Some primary schools in Bexley manage their own waiting lists. Contact these schools directly if you want to apply:

9. What happens to applications at the end of the school year

In-year applications for the 2026 to 2027 school year close on 30 June 2027.

Bexley schools clear their waiting lists on 1 July 2027. What happens next depends on when you applied, whether your child is currently in school and where you live.

When you applied	Your child’s situation	Where you live	What happens	What you need to do
On or before 30 June 2027	Your child is in school or is being educated at home	In Bexley or outside Bexley	Your application and waiting list position will end on 1 July 2027	Apply again from 1 July 2027 if you still want a place for the next school year
On or before 30 June 2027	Your child is out of school	In Bexley	Your application will be carried forward to the next school year	You do not need to apply again unless your details or school preferences change
On or before 30 June 2027	Your child is out of school	Outside Bexley	Your application and waiting list position will end on 1 July 2027	Contact your home local authority. Apply again to Bexley from 1 July 2027 if you still want a Bexley school
From 1 July 2027	Any situation	In Bexley or outside Bexley	Your application will be treated as an application for the 2027 to 2028 school year	You do not need to apply again. We will process applications from 1 September 2027, when schools reopen

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