If you are not offered a place for your child at their preferred school, it may be possible to go on a waiting list. Milton Keynes Council is responsible for holding in-year waiting lists for all community and voluntary controlled schools. Voluntary aided, foundation and academy schools may hold their own waiting lists and you should contact them direct for more information.

A list of community and voluntary controlled schools can be found here.

How do I add my child’s name to a waiting list?

If your child is starting school for the first time or moving up to junior school in September 2023 and has been declined a place at a school of higher preference your child's name will automatically be added to the waiting list for that school.  The council will hold waiting lists for all community and voluntary controlled schools for the academic year.  All schools must hold waiting lists until 31 December 2023, however some Academies, Foundation schools and Voluntary Aided Schools may continue to hold waiting lists after this date but parents and carers should check with the schools direct. 

If your child is moving up to secondary school in September 2023 and has been declined a place at a school of higher preference your child's name will automatically be added to the waiting list for that school.  Waiting lists will be held until 31 December 2023 and after this time you should check with individual schools to see whether a waiting list will continue to be held. 

If you have made an in-year application and been declined a place at your preferred community or voluntary controlled school/s and wish to add your child’s name to the waiting list, you should inform the Education Access Team by email. You can find out more about in-year transfers here.

How long are waiting lists held for?

if your child’s name is currently on a waiting list for a community or voluntary controlled school, the waiting list will be held for the academic year.

If your child is in Year R and is on a waiting list for an alternative school, and you still want them to be considered for a place at that school from September 2023 when they will move up to Year 1, you must submit a new application.

If your child is in Year 1 to Year 5 and you wish them to remain on the waiting list for a different school for the academic year starting in September 2023, you must email primaryadmissions@milton-keynes.gov.uk by no later than 30 June 2023, requesting that your child's name is moved to the waiting list for September 2023.  There is no need to make a new in-year application.  

However, if you want to appeal for a school place for the new academic year starting in September 2023, you will need to make a new application.  An outcome letter will confirm if there are no places available and you can find out more about how to appeal here.

How is my child’s position on the waiting list prioritised?

Waiting lists are ordered in line with the published oversubscription criteria and not in order of the date the application was received.  A child's position on a list can move up or down.

What happens if I move house?

If you move house you will need to provide evidence of your new address.  Your child's position on the waiting list will be re-ranked according to your new address.  You must inform the Education Access Team of any change in address as this may affect your position on the waiting list.

How are places allocated?

When a place becomes available at a community or voluntary controlled school, it will be allocated to the child at the top of the waiting list, in line with the oversubscription criteria.  

How long will I have to wait?

There is no specific timescale. It is difficult to predict when someone might no longer need a place or when one will become available.

How will I be notified if a place becomes available?

You will be notified by a telephone call or email if a place becomes available at your preferred school and you will have five working days to accept the offer.