Admissions
Starting Primary School in 2026
THE PRIMARY APPLICATION PROCESS for September 2026 starters will open mid-October 2025
All details can be found on the Rutland County Council website.
Admissions 01572 722577 admissions@rutland.gov.uk
Admission arrangements for families with children wishing to join our Foundation Stage class for 2026-2027 are coordinated by Rutland County Council.
Applications for children living in Rutland should be made directly to Rutland County Council. The booklet "Starting Primary School in Rutland" and an application form is available on their website Rutland County Council School Admissions.
This application round is for children whose date of birth falls on or between 1 September 2021 to 31 August 2022.
You must apply for a primary school place by 15th January 2026
Families living outside Rutland should contact their own local authority for advice on how to make an application. For families living overseas, an application can be submitted to the local authority area they are moving to. For schools in the Rutland Learning Trust this is Rutland County Council.
The National Primary Offer date is 16 April 2026 (or the next working day)
RLT Admissions Policy 2025
RLT Admissions Policy 2026
RCC Admission Documents
In Year Admissions
The Rutland Learning Trust is the admissions authority for Cottesmore Academy.
Prior to making a formal application, please contact the school directly to establish if places are available, discuss requirements and arrange any visits.
Applications for school places in-year* should be made directly to The Rutland Learning Trust using the form below. Please send the completed form to the Admissions Officer.
By Email:
By Post:
Admissions Office
The Rutland Learning Trust
c/o Cottesmore Academy
Kendrew Barracks
Cottesmore
Rutland LE15 7BA
* in-year admissions refers to applications for places outside of the normal admissions round ie. for Year groups 1 to 6 and for Reception places for children not starting school for the first time.
Families may submit an application form even if there is no place available at the time of application.
Parents will be advised of the outcome of their application within 15 school days.
If the application is refused, families have the right to appeal and the opportunity to place the child’s name on the school’s waiting list.
Waiting List
If a place has been refused at our school because the cohort is full, you may request to have your child's name put on our waiting list.
To do this, please contact the admissions co-ordinator
School Appeals
You have the right to appeal if your child has been refused a school place.
The Rutland Learning Trust employs RCS (Rutland) Ltd to administer any appeals for admissions to schools within our trust. Should you wish to make an appeal, please complete the Appeal Form below and return it using the details at the bottom of the form.
Any queries to this process, please email office@rltschools.com.
Normal Round Appeals
If your child has been refused a place into our Foundation Stage class, you will be advised of your right to appeal. An appeal application must be submitted within 20 school days from the date of notification that your application was unsuccessful and the appeal must be heard within 40 school days of the deadline for lodging the appeal.
In-Year Appeals
If you have applied for an in-year school place, and been refused, then you must lodge an appeal within 20 school days of being notified that your application was unsuccessful.
Your appeal will be heard within 30 school days of the appeal being lodged.
School Appeals Timetable for entry into 2026-2027
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National closing date for on-time applications | 15th January 2026 |
National offer date for all Primary Schools | 16th April 2026 |
Closing date for on-time appeals | 23rd May 2026 |
On-time appeals will be heard | 16th June 2026 – 4th September 2026* |
Last date to submit any additional information in support of your appeal | The independent clerk to the appeals panel will notify you of this date |
Appeals will be heard no later than | 4th September 2026 (40 days after closing date for on time appeals) |
Decisions will be communicated in writing from the clerk within five working days of the date of your appeal hearing | |
*You will receive notification of your hearing date during this time. If there's any changes the independent clerk will let you know before your hearing.
Update to admissions guidance in relation to parents from other countries applying for a school place.
Please visit the updated website below for information regarding this type of application is relevant to you and your child.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/schools-admissions-applications-from-overseas-children
