Overview
If you are moving into North Tyneside, relocating within the area, or seeking to change your child’s school for any other reason, the information provided here will guide you through the process.
The Access Team coordinates the transfer process on behalf of most schools in North Tyneside, including Academies, Voluntary Aided, and Trust schools. To request a school transfer, you must complete an ‘in-year’ application form. Please note that even if a place is available, the start date may not be immediate and would typically be scheduled at the beginning of a half term. We do not reserve places for pupils moving into the area, so your catchment area school may already be full. In the event that the relevant year group is at capacity, you will be notified in writing and informed of your right to appeal to an Independent Appeals Panel.
You can read further details about Education Appeals.
What is an In-Year Admission?
An in-year admission refers to any application made outside the normal school entry points, for example, mid-way through the school year.
Please note: Even if a place is available, your child may not start immediately. Most admissions begin at the start of a half-term. We cannot reserve places for families moving into the area.
Important Information
- Only one application per child can be considered at any time.
- You can list up to three preferred schools (within North Tyneside or other local authorities).
- If a year group is full, you'll receive a formal refusal and information about your right to appeal.
- Applications for September 2026 open on 2 June 2026. Any submitted earlier will be returned.
In year additional preference form
How to Apply
If your child is currently at a North Tyneside school
- Collect the in-year application form from your child’s current school.
- Section B must be completed by the Head Teacher.
- Applications cannot be submitted through the Citizen’s Portal.
Moving in-year to Burnside College
Burnside college manages its own in-year admissions.
Find their process and application
If your child is not currently at a North Tyneside school:
- Complete an in-year application form.
- Proof of your new address may be required.
- Section B is not needed, but a recent school report is helpful.
Please note that applications received during the Summer holidays will not be processed until schools reopen in September. The local authority will prepare all applications during this period, but outcomes may not be communicated until the second or third week of the new term.
Before you begin your application
- Submit a separate form for each child.
- Let us know if your child has school-aged siblings.
- Applications will only be discussed with the person who submitted the form, unless written consent is provided.
- Applications can’t be processed more than 4 weeks in advance, unless you're Service or Crown personnel.
- Check your catchment area school: School catchment areas.
- For places in nursery classes, sixth forms, private schools, or Burnside College, please contact the school(s) directly.
School Transfers – Things to Consider
Changing your child’s school can have significant effects and should be considered carefully. Moves due to house relocation or exclusion may be unavoidable, but other requests will require careful assessment. Many concerns arise from misunderstandings, which can often be resolved through open and reasonable communication between parents/carers and the school.
The last two years of Secondary School (years 10 and 11), when pupils prepare for their GCSE and other public examinations, are particularly important. It is generally considered that changing schools at this stage should be avoided, if possible, because it might have a damaging effect on the examination results a pupil may achieve. At public examination level, schools do not always offer the same combination of subjects and syllabi. Examination requirements can also differ as schools do not all use the same examination boards. Problems may arise in subjects involving course work that must be sent to examination boards by set dates, and pupils who have not completed essential course work may be unable to complete the examination.
The Procedure
The same admission arrangements apply to children moving between schools as those starting for the first time, and admission is dependent on the availability of places. If there are places available, the start date may not be immediate and would normally be within 15 school days. If a school is going through an organisational change, and increased numbers of pupils are moving to a different school, pupils will be admitted to the new school at the start of each half term.
In general it is unwise to withdraw a child from one school before you have made satisfactory arrangements for admission to another, and it is expected that your child will continue in their current school.
Legal requirements
Children aged 5 to 16 must be in full-time education. They should continue attending their current school until an alternative place is offered. Failure to ensure school attendance may result in legal action.
Children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND)
- If your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), it may specify a recommended school.
- If your child has an EHCP, please contact our SEND team about identifying an appropriate school.
- If your child does not have an EHCP, complete the in-year application form and provide details of any additional needs or specialist support previously received. This information will assist in processing your application promptly and ensuring appropriate support.
Timescale for hearing the outcome
We will process your application and forward it on for an admission decision within 10 school days (this may be slightly extended in June/July and September/October due to the number of applications we receive at these times of year).
These timescales may be delayed if information is missing from your application. You should hear whether the schools you applied to can offer your child a place within 15 school days of submitting your application. Places are not offered during holidays when schools are closed.
If you have not heard by the 15th school day, please email us at school.admissions@northtyneside.gov.uk
Communication of outcomes
- If the school manages its own in-year admissions, they’ll contact you directly with the outcome.
- If the local authority manages admissions on a schools behalf, we’ll notify you in writing within 15 school days.
- If no place is available, you’ll receive a formal refusal letter and information about how you can appeal this decision.
Learn more about: Education Appeals
Which schools have places available?
The information below is only meant to be use as a guide for making an application. We process large quantities of applications so places shown might have been filled by the time you make an application.
If you have any additional questions, please contact The School Admissions Team via email - school.admissions@northtyneside.gov.uk