School Admissions Service
Enfield School Admissions Service can:
- give information and advice about applying for nursery places in schools
- process applications for primary school places
- process applications for secondary school places
- give information and advice for those wishing to make school admission appeals
- help with school admissions and pupil benefits enquiries
How to make an in-year application
In-year admissions are applications made for school places at any time during the school year.
How to apply
- Check the vacancy lists to see if there is a vacancy at your chosen school
- Complete the online form to apply for an in-year school place
- If the child is currently on roll, or has recently left a UK primary or secondary school, ask the school to complete Part 2 of the form
Contact school admissions
Phone: 020 3821 1756.
Opening times:
- Monday and Tuesday: 2:30pm to 5pm
- Wednesday to Friday: 9am to 11:30am
Email: esas@enfield.gov.uk.
Early years and children’s centres
When can a child start?
The earliest this place will start is January, April, or September after your child’s 2nd birthday:
- If your child was born between 1 January and 31 March, funding will start in April, following your child’s second birthday
- If your child was born between 1 April and 31 August, funding will start in September, following your child’s second birthday
- If your child was born between 1 September and 31 December, funding will start in January, following your child’s second birthday
Enfield’s Children’s Centre offers a range of activities and support for parents.
Admissions for children in care
Children in care are given the highest priority for school admissions.
This means:
- they should be offered a suitable school place as quickly as possible
- admissions arrangements must prioritise stability, continuity, and the child’s best interests
All applications for children in care should be made to schools that are:
Graded under the new Ofsted framework as:
- Exceptional – performance among the very best nationally
- Strong – excellent, consistent practice making a significant difference
- Expected Standard in all areas
Or, under the previous framework:
- Good or Outstanding
Schools below these standards should only be considered in exceptional circumstances, where there is a clear rationale linked to the child’s needs.
Corporate parenting responsibility
While carers may express a preference for a particular school, the final decision regarding school placement sits with the local authority as corporate parent.
This decision will be made by the social worker, in partnership with the Virtual School, ensuring that:
- the placement is in the child's best educational interests
- the school is able to meet the child’s needs and promote strong outcomes
- the child is given the best possible opportunity to succeed
Role of the Virtual School
The Virtual School Headteacher (VSH) has oversight of all educational arrangements for children in care, and will:
- support and quality assure school placement decisions
- work with admissions and schools to secure an appropriate placement
- provide challenge where provision is not of a suitable standard
- escalate or direct placements where necessary
In-year applications (children in care)
In-year admissions are applications made outside the normal admissions round during the academic year.
For children in care:
- the social worker must submit applications without delay, particularly where a placement change occurs or the child is identified as Child Missing Education (CME)
- applications should follow the expectation that schools are Good/Outstanding or meet the new Ofsted standards outlined above
- the Virtual School must be informed immediately to provide oversight and support
Child missing education
If a child in care is CME:
- the Virtual School must be notified immediately
- interim education must be arranged without delay
- the social worker must submit a school application urgently
Support and escalation
If there are problems securing a school place for a child in care, contact:
Suzan Guven (Attendance Case Officer)
Email: suzan.guven@enfield.gov.uk
You should also contact the Virtual School at virtualschool@enfield.gov.uk to support and escalate where needed.