Primary School Admissions Code

When to start School

Parents and Carers are required to send their child to school no later than the beginning of the school year (i.e. September) in which they become five years old. This means that all children can spend the same length of time in primary schools, irrespective of their date of birth.

For September 2025 Admissions   

Reception- Children born between 1 September 2020 to 31 August 2021 will be eligible to start school Reception in September 2025 and must apply for a school place by 15 January 2025.

Primary School Applications

The online application process is now open to apply for a primary school place please visit the link below: 

Closing date for applications  - 15 January 2025

Offer date - 16th April 2025

https://www.gateshead.gov.uk/article/2780/School-admissions

Important:

• we recommend you apply to 3 schools.  Applying for only 1 school does not improve you change of gaining a place at this school
• your child's attendance at a school or private nursery does not guarantee or improve your chances of gaining a place at your chosen school.
• if you rank a school outside Gateshead as one of your preferences, you must look at the admission policy for that school before submitting your application
• you must apply by 15 January 2025

Reception and junior admissions timeline

For more information, view our questions about the primary school admissions process.

 You can click on the link above and create a parent account within the parent portal to apply for a place.    APPLY HERE   Applications for Reception places are processed through Gateshead Council’s online school admission system, www.gateshead.gov.uk/schooladmissions, you can access their information booklet and other useful links about education in Gateshead.

If you have any queries regarding the admission process, please contact the School Admissions Team on: 0191 433 2775 or 433 2756.

The School Admissions Team can be contacted at the address/contact numbers below:

Education Support Service

School Admissions Team

Floor 2, Civic Centre, Gateshead, NE8 1HH

Telephone: 0191 433 2756 / 0191 433 2757

In-year transfers

Parents or carers with children of statutory school age who either

• move into Gateshead and need a school place, 
• or are resident in Gateshead and wish to change their child's school to another Gateshead school

Application form and process 

If you need a place in a Gateshead school you must complete an in-year transfer application form (PDF) [317KB] (opens new window). The application form allows you to express a preference for up to three schools in Gateshead. 

Please contact the Education Support Team on the below: 

E: schooladmissions@gateshead.gov.uk

T: 0191 433 8589

Applying for a school place if you are a family arriving from Ukraine 

To find out more, visit the Gov.uk website.

Please contact schooladmissions@gateshead.gov.uk or 0191 433 8589 if you have any further questions with regards to admission to schools.

You can download an application form for admission to schools (PDF) [317KB] (opens new window), or a paper form can be requested from the Admissions team. 

Additional Information

We are happy to answer any questions you may have or give a tour of the school, please contact Mrs J Lister our School Business Manager  on 0191 4104571 or send an email to school: portobelloprimaryschool@gateshead.gov.uk