Places are not allocated on a first come first served basis and schools and play groups will not consider applications until after the closing date.
Parents are reminded that the admissions process is open until January 31st.
The published admissions criteria of pre-schools, primary and post primary schools are now available.
Answer the questions under the heading 'Start the Admissions Process' to find information relating to either Pre-School or Primary School or Post Primary Admissions. You will be able to select ‘find a pre-school’ or ‘find a primary school’ or ‘find a post-primary school’ and read the published admissions criteria.
You are encouraged to study the admission criteria of those schools/playgroups that you would consider sending your child to before completing an application.
You should continue to check this website for further updates on the admissions process. Further updates on the application process for applying to pre-school or primary 1 will be available for Wednesday 2 January 2019 when the application process commences. Other information on the admissions procedure is also available throughout this website.
Whether your child is starting pre-school, primary or post-primary, our admissions tool will help you find out what you need to know about getting a place at school.
A number of drop in sessions have been set up to help parents complete their application.
For details of sessions in your area please click here
Start the admissions process
Already started your application?
Complete your admissions application on the dedicated parent portal now.
The Education Authority (EA) manages the procedures for the enrolment of children in pre-school (age 2-4 years), primary school (age 4-11 years) and post primary school (age 11-18 years).
Please note that the following guidance does not relate to children with a Statement of Special Educational Needs as their admission to school is dealt with in a separate process. If you wish your child to attend a preparatory department of a grammar school or an independent school, you should apply to the school for admission
Each year staff assist parents and schools in enrolling approximately 70,000 children into various types of educational settings within the age ranges.
It is the responsibility of Boards of Governors in each school or the Management Committee in each Voluntary or Private Playgroup to draw up their admissions criteria. Where pre-schools or schools are oversubscribed, Boards of Governors or the Management Committee must select children for admission by applying their published admissions criteria.
EA Staff are available to provide advice to parents in relation to enrolment procedures and where applicable the appeals procedure which exists where a child is not admitted into the school their parent has chosen.