To apply for a reception place in a Lewisham Primary School for your child, you must complete either a Lewisham Common Application Form or an online application form (but not both).
See the key dates page for details of when to make your application.
Obtaining a Common Application Form
The Common Application Form (CAF) can be obtained from any Lewisham school, Catford Access Point, Deptford Access Point or from the Admissions Team (contact details below).
Completing an on-line application
Instead of completing a CAF, you can complete the online application form that will be available.
You should wait until you are sure of your preferences before you complete an online application form. We recommend that you complete the form in January as late applications can not be made online.
Completing the Common Application Form
You are able to express up to four preferences on the form and you may give reasons why you are applying
for the school.
It is very important that you list your preferred schools in the order that you prefer them. Please make sure that you put your first choice of school as first preference, and so on.
Please ensure you add documentary evidence if you
wish to give reasons to support your application or you are asking for consideration under the special, medical or social criterion. Your reasons will be considered but your application will not necessarily be given priority over those of other children.
Which schools to put on the form
Many schools in Lewisham receive more applications than there are places available. So, there can be no guarantee that one of the preferences can be met.
It is important that you consider the admissions criteria for each school and decide whether your child is likely
to be offered a place. For example, will your child be considered under the home to school distance criteria or is it a faith school which gives priority to children who are of the faith?
You should bear in mind sibling priority and distance, particularly if a place at a small school is requested.
We suggest that, as many schools are oversubscribed, you include your closest Community school as one of your preferences.
Home address
It is important that the permanent home address is given as this will be checked against council records before a provisional offer is confirmed.
If you are required to provide proof of your permanent home address, we will ask you for one or more of the following: current council tax statement, tenancy agreement, mortgage statement or utility bill,
together with a letter from the Child Benefit Agency to show that the child lives at the address.
A residence or court order may be requested if there is a query about where the child is residing. In the case of children who reside equally between parents, the permanent home address will be considered as the address where the child spends the majority of the time and with the parent who is in receipt of benefit(s) for the child.
Voluntary Aided Catholic and Church of England Schools
If you are applying for a Catholic school, including St Matthew Academy, or a Foundation place at a Church of England school and wish to be considered on religious grounds, you must also complete and return a supplementary form issued by that school.
This form will need to be signed by the priest, vicar or minister to confirm your child’s church membership and attendance. The supplementary form must be returned direct to the school before the closing date.
Please ensure that you apply for these schools on the CAF or your child’s application cannot be considered by the governors.
Visiting schools
Before deciding which schools you wish to apply for, you are advised to visit them to see the facilities and opportunities available. Headteachers will be pleased to arrange to show you around the school and answer any questions you may have. Please contact the school direct to arrange a convenient time.
Returning Common Application Forms
Forms can be returned in a sealed envelope via any Lewisham primary or nursery school or handed in at AccessPoint Deptford, AccessPoint Catford, Downham Leisure Centre or posted directly to the Admissions Team (our contact details are below).
Please ask for a receipt from the school or Access Point. If you wish to post the form directly to the Admissions
Team, it is advisable that you send it by recorded delivery. Please keep proof of posting safe and keep the carbon copy of the form.
You cannot make any changes to your paper or online form once it is submitted.