At Choppington Primary School we follow the County Admissions Policy. The Policy as it will be applied for the school year 2026-2027 will be included in the Northumberland Guide to Schools normally available early in the academic year. This document can be viewed by visiting here
Primary School Admissions Handbook 2026/27 Click here
Secondary School Admissions Handbook 2026/27 click here
Click here for advice on the admission of summer born babies (Department for Education)
We encourage parents who are considering applying for a place for their child to come and visit the school. Please contact the school office to make an appointment for you to meet the Headteacher who will show you around and answer any questions you may have.
The planned admission number (PAN) is 15
Nursery Starters
We have three intakes a year for Nursery - in September, January and April. Your child must be two/three years old in the school term before the intake. For example: a September start your child must be three by 31st August, January start they must be three by 31st December and an April start they must be three by 31st March.
30 Hour Entitlement for 3 and 4 year olds
To find out general information about Northumberland County Council's 30 hour free childcare, please click here
Our email address is schooladmissions@northumberland.gov.uk
Please refer to our FAQ sheet here.
Key dates for applications
1 November 2025
The online admissions portal will open.
You must complete an application for your child’s reception place, even if they already attend the school’s nursery or pre-school setting.
If this is your first time applying, you will need to sign up.
If you have used the system before, you will be asked to enter your username and password.
There is a leaflet on how to apply (PDF) and portal user guidance (PDF) to help you with your application.
15 January 2026
Closing date for all applications to be received by the local authority.
16 April 2026
National Offers Day. This is when you will find out what school your child has been allocated.
1 May 2026
If you are not happy with the school place that has been given, this is the deadline for refusing it.
8 May 2026
For applications that were received on time, any remaining school places that have become available will be allocated in criteria order.
29 May 2026
All remaining places will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
31 December 2026
No waiting lists are held by the local authority after this date.
All schools and academies in Northumberland must formally agree their admission arrangements for the 2026/27 academic year. Copies of which can be found here .
Frequently asked questions (PDF).
Late applications
Unless there are exceptional circumstances in place, your application will be considered late if it’s received after 15 January 2026. This will reduce your chances of your child getting a place at their preferred school.
Parents returning their application late must provide a reason for this.
If the application is submitted before 14 February 2026, the Admission Authority will consider your reasons and - if they are exceptional - consider your application along with those received on time (ensure you provide evidence).
If a late application is not considered exceptional, it will not be processed until 16 April 2026.
If you are applying late, the portal will be closed, and you must apply a different way.
Submit the Schools Application Form for late applicants
School Transport
If the availability of school transport is important in making your decision about what schools to apply for, check out our school/college transport pages before applying.
Deciding which is the nearest school with a place available
As the council co-ordinates the offer of school places, we can identify which is the nearest qualifying school to a child's address and whether a place would have been available at either:
The point you moved address or moved your child's school (where this happens during the academic year) or The point when a place was offered to your child to join a school in September as part of the usual admissions round (for example, Reception age, transition to middle, high, secondary school in September).
We will check to see if it is likely that your child would have been offered a place at their nearest qualifying school under the school's admissions arrangements.
This will apply regardless of how much time has passed between your child starting at the school and the transport application being submitted.
If you did not make an application for the nearest qualifying school but would likely have been offered a place had you done so, it is unlikely that your child will qualify for free school transport.
Offers Day
Thursday 16 April 2026 is National Offers Day.
Online applications
You can log on to the Portal on the 16 April 2026 and find out the school your child has been offered. You will also receive an email confirming the offer.
Paper form applicants
You will be informed by letter which will be posted to you on the 16 April 2026 by second class post.
If you are refused a place at your preferred school(s), you will receive a refusal letter posted to you (by second class post) on 16 April 2026. This will contain important information about:
- why you were refused
- what the next steps are
- how to appeal
- where you have been offered a place
Do not phone School Admissions.
We will not be able to give you any information over the phone.
If you have any further queries you can email School Admissions
Email: schooladmissions@northumberland.gov.uk
Due to the high volume of emails we receive during this time, it may take up to 10 working days to respond.