Apply for an upper school place

Applications are processed based on your child’s address (including overseas address) as of the closing date.

We verify addresses as part of the allocation process. If we find that you have moved address prior to 31 October 2024 and have not notified us of the move then we will amend your application accordingly and your application will be processed on your new address.

Below are some situations that may be applicable to you but if you have any other type of house move please contact us for specific advice. 

 If you move house after submitting your application it is your responsibility to inform us in writing of your new address and the exact date you moved address.

Child living between two addresses (such as due to parents being separated or divorced)

An application can only be processed using one address. If a child lives at more than one address (for example due to a separation) the address used will be the one where the child lives for the majority of the time. If a child lives at two addresses equally, parents/carers should make a single joint application naming one address.

Moving within Central Bedfordshire or from within the UK

If you want us to consider a new address in the on-time allocation, you must have exchanged contracts or have a signed tenancy agreement and provided us with a copy by 31 October 2024.

You can do this via email to admissions@centralbedfordshire.gov.uk or by post to:

School admissions
Central Bedfordshire Council
Priory House
Monks Walks
Chicksands
Shefford
Bedfordshire
SG17 5TQ

It is not sufficient to put details of pending moves in the additional details section on your application form/online account.

If you have not yet exchanged contracts or have a signed tenancy agreement by 31 October 2024 for a property within Central Bedfordshire then you need to apply to the local authority (where you pay Council Tax) by 31 October 2024. If you have listed Central Bedfordshire schools on your application they will send your application to us for consideration in our allocation.

Changes of address which take place after the closing date will be processed using the original address. We will post your application outcome to your new address; however it will not be updated on our system until the late allocation round.

Currently living abroad, but moving back to a Central Bedfordshire property

If you own a property in Central Bedfordshire but you live abroad (for example, you're working abroad), we will use your Central Bedfordshire address if you can provide us with a copy of your current Council Tax bill and your child’s current GP registration letter.

If you are unable to provide a copy of your Council Tax bill and current GP registration letter, in these instances, your application will be processed using the address at which you and your child are living as at the closing date. We will only consider this address to be your home address at the point in which you and your child are living in the property.

You will need to complete a paper application form using your non UK address and provide your child’s travelling document showing their return date. If you own a property in Central Bedfordshire but you live abroad, and the property is empty then your application will be processed using this address at which you and your child are living as at the closing date.

If your child is living abroad, but the family are based in the United Kingdom

Please provide us with a copy of your current Council Tax bill and your child’s current GP registration letter. If you are unable to provide both documents, then we will use the address of where the child is currently living at the time of the closing date.

Owning a number of properties within the UK

If you own a number of properties within the United Kingdom, you must apply using the address at which you and your child reside. Please provide us with a copy of your current Council Tax bill and your child’s current GP registration letter. 

Renovating an address that you have purchased/own

If you own a property in Central Bedfordshire but are not living in it because of renovation work at the property, we will consider this address, not the temporary address of the property you are living at during the work, providing that the property being renovated is not being occupied. We will require proof that you own the property being renovated. Please provide us with a copy of your current Council Tax bill. 

Moving into a property owned by a partner or family member

We will only process the application using this address once you and your child have moved into the property. We will need a copy of recent documentation e.g. driving licence or GP registration letter showing that you reside at the property, dated within three months of the closing date. Applications are processed based on your child’s address as of the closing date.  

Moving into a property to live with a partner or family member

We will only process the application using this address once you and your child have moved into the property. We will need a copy of recent documentation e.g. bank statement, driving licence, or GP registration letter showing that you reside at the property, dated within three months of the closing date of 31 October 2024. Applications are processed based on your child’s address as of the closing date of 31 October 2024.

Living on a houseboat

If you live on a houseboat you may not have a postal address. Here are some options:

• if you have a residential mooring, your berth can serve as your home address; some marinas may also offer individual post boxes for boat residents
• you may use the marina address where your boat is docked, but please check with the marina first
• you can set up a PO Box; some houseboats maintain a PO Box in town and use the marina as a place of residence
• the address that is used when registering at a doctor’s surgery
• the address that is used at your child’s nursery
• if you have family that you have mail sent to, you may use this address