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Online admissions

Who can apply online?

Please use this system if your children live in the Bedford Borough Council area, and are due to:

  • transfer to upper/secondary school/academy in September 2024 - you can apply from 12 September 2023 until 31 October 2023
  • transfer to middle school/academy in September 2024 - you can apply from 26 September 2023 until 15 January 2024
  • start lower/primary school/academy in September 2024 - you can apply from 26 September 2023 until 15 January 2024

Only use one method to apply for a school place

  • If you have already submitted your paper application form you must not apply online.
  • If you apply online you must not make a paper application.

Please read the information booklets before you make your online application. There is important information about the admissions process and criteria for individual schools.

Catchment areas

Know the catchment school which serves your local area, if applicable, before making an online application. 

List your catchment area school, if applicable, as one of your preferences. If there isn't a place at your preferred school, then you will be higher up the priority list at your catchment area school. This is not a guarantee of a place.

Applications on religious and faith grounds

Church of England primary schools

If you are applying for a place at the following schools on religious or faith grounds, you must also arrange for your priest, minister or faith leader to complete and sign the religious declaration form for Church of England schools.  

Religious declaration for Church of England schools (Word)

  • Christopher Reeves Primary
  • Great Barford Primary 
  • Ravensden Primary
  • Riseley Primary
  • Roxton Primary
  • St Lawrence Primary
  • Wilden Primary

Catholic schools

If you are applying for a place on religious grounds at the following schools because you are a practising Catholic family, your priest must confirm this, by signing a Certificate of Catholic Practice. This is a new requirement from the schools within the Our Lady Immaculate Catholic Academies Trust.  

Certificate of Catholic Practice (PDF)

  • St John Rigby Primary Academy
  • St Joseph's and St Gregory's Primary
  • St Thomas More Catholic School

If you are applying because although you are not a practising family, your child has been baptised Catholic, or enrolled in a catechumenate programme, you must provide their Baptismal Certificate or your priest must confirm enrolment in the programme using the religious declaration form for Catholic schools.  

Religious declaration for Catholic Schools (PDF).

If you are a practising member of another religion or faith you must make sure that your priest, minister or faith leader completes the religious declaration form for Catholic schools.

Without this information the governing body may not be able to consider your application on religious grounds.

Please email the completed form to admissions@bedford.gov.uk or post it to School Admissions Service, Bedford Borough Council, Borough Hall, Cauldwell Street, Bedford, MK42 9AP

You are now ready to make an online application

This step-by-step guide (PDF) has copies of the relevant screens to help you to use the online system.

You can only use the system if you live in Bedford Borough area.

Apply for a school

The online system is only available to use: 

  • from 12 September 2023 to 31 October 2023 for transfer to upper/secondary in September 2024
  • from 26 September 2023 to 15 January 2024 for transfer to middle in September 2024
  • from 26 September 2023 to 15 January 2024 for starting school in September 2024

Contact School Admissions Service for further help

Email admissions@bedford.gov.uk to get help understanding the transfer process.

Please note that we are not able to offer technical support.