An in-year application is when a child applies to transfer from one school to another during the school year. It includes families who have recently moved into Trafford from another area.
Processing applications
We aim to process applications within 10 school days.
We are unable to allocate school places during the school holidays, and so it will take longer if you apply at these times.
Availability of places
We will always find a school place for your child, but due to high levels of demand in some areas, you may have to travel further if you move to Trafford during the school year.
There are limited primary school places available in these year groups and areas:
- Altrincham (WA14 and WA15 postcodes) - year groups 5 and 6
- Sale (M33 postcodes) - year groups 4, 5 and 6
There are no secondary school places available in these year groups and areas:
- Altrincham and Sale - year groups 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11
We work closely with schools to secure as many additional places as possible. If you move to live in Sale or Altrincham during the school year, we will likely offer you a secondary school place in another area of Trafford.
For the latest information on which schools have places available, email school.admissions@trafford.gov.uk.
Apply for a place
All in-year applications should be made through the Trafford application portal.
What happens next
Trafford is the admission authority for all community and voluntary-controlled schools in our area. We will process applications for these schools and inform you of the outcome.
Faith schools and academies are their own admission authority schools and they process their own applications. You must still apply through our online portal. We will forward your application details to these schools for them to process.
It will be the school that informs you of the outcome of your application.
Right of appeal
If you are refused a place at a particular school, you have a right of appeal to an independent appeal panel. Read more about school admission appeals.
Fair access
In partnership with our schools, we have protocols in place to make sure places are made available for vulnerable children and those who are having difficulty securing a school place through the usual admissions process.
Schools adjudicator
Read the latest report to the schools adjudicator.
Contact us
If you can't find the answer to your question on this page, email school.admissions@trafford.gov.uk or call 01619125007