Overview
If you are moving into North Tyneside, moving house within the borough, or would like your child to change schools for any other reason, this page explains how to apply for a school transfer.
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 is an application for a school place made outside the normal school admission rounds, for example when a child changes school during the school year.
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 2027 open on 14 June 2027. Any applications submitted before this date will be returned.
How to Apply
If your child currently attends a North Tyneside school
- Collect an In-Year Application Form from your child's current school.
- Applications cannot be submitted through the Citizens Portal.
- Unless you are applying to Burnside College, Carville Academy or Monkseaton Coastal School, completed applications should be returned to the School Admissions Team by email or post.
The following schools manage their own in-year admissions arrangements:
- Burnside College
- Carville Academy
- Monkseaton Coastal School
Please visit the school's website for details of their in-year application process.
Moving in-year to Burnside College:
Find their process and application
Moving in-year to Carville Academy:
Find their process and application
Moving in-year to Monkseaton Coastal School:
Find their process and application
If your child does not currently attend a North Tyneside school
- Complete an In-Year Application Form.
- You may be asked to provide proof of your new address.
- You do not need to complete Section B of the form.
- Unless you are applying to Burnside College, Carville Academy or Monkseaton Coastal School, completed applications should be returned to the School Admissions Team by email or post.
Please note: Applications received during the summer holidays cannot be processed until schools reopen in September. The local authority will prepare applications during the holiday period, but decisions may not be available until the second or third week of the autumn term.
Before you begin your application
- Complete a separate application form for each child.
- Tell us if your child has any school-aged siblings.
- Understand that we can only discuss an application with the person who submitted it, unless written consent is provided.
- Note that applications can only be processed up to four weeks in advance, unless you are Service or Crown personnel.
- Check your catchment area school: School catchment areas.
For places in nursery classes, sixth forms, private schools, Burnside College, Carville Academy or Monkseaton Coastal School please contact the school(s) directly.
School Transfers – Things to Consider
Changing schools can be a significant step for a child and should be considered carefully. While some moves are unavoidable, such as those caused by a house move or exclusion, other requests should be thought through fully before an application is made. Many concerns can often be resolved through open communication between parents/carers and the school. We encourage you to discuss any issues with your child's current school before requesting a transfer.
Particular consideration should be given if your child is in Years 10 or 11. These are important years leading up to GCSEs and other public examinations. Changing schools at this stage can affect a pupil's progress because:
- Schools may offer different subjects and qualification pathways.
- Examination boards and course content can vary between schools.
- Coursework requirements and deadlines may differ.
- A change of school could affect a pupil's ability to complete essential coursework on time.
The Procedure
The same admission arrangements apply to children changing schools as to those starting school for the first time. Admission depends on whether places are available in the relevant year group. Where a place is available, the start date may not be immediate and will normally be within 15 school days.
If a school is undergoing organisational changes and larger numbers of pupils are moving to another school, admissions may take place at the start of each half term. We strongly advise that you do not withdraw your child from their current school until alternative arrangements have been confirmed. Your child is expected to continue attending their current school until a new place has been secured.
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.
When Will I Hear the Outcome?
We will process your application and send it to the relevant admission authority for a decision within 10 school days. During particularly busy periods, such as June, July, September and October, this may take slightly longer. Delays can also occur if information is missing from your application.
In most cases, you should receive a decision within 15 school days of submitting your application. Please note that school places are not offered during holiday periods when schools are closed. If you have not received an update by the 15th school day, please email: school.admissions@northtyneside.gov.uk
How We Will Contact You?
- If the school manages its own in-year admissions, the school will contact you directly with the outcome of your application.
- If the local authority manages admissions on behalf of the school, we will write to you with the decision within 15 school days.
Which schools have places available?
The information below is provided as a guide to help you decide which schools to include on your application. Please be aware that school place availability can change quickly as we receive a high volume of applications throughout the year. As a result, a school shown as having places available may become full before your application is processed. For this reason, we strongly recommend that you include up to three school preferences on your application whenever possible.
The availability information should be used as a guide only and does not guarantee that a place will be available at the time a decision is made on your application.
If you have any additional questions, please contact The School Admissions Team via email - school.admissions@northtyneside.gov.uk
Learn more about: Education Appeals