Last reviewed: May 2024

The schools’ admissions process can be pretty daunting, especially if you are applying for the first time.  You want to make sure that you have fully researched all the options and are making an informed decision, as well as being realistic about which schools you have a chance of getting in to.  This is especially important in Dunstable given that so many of our local schools can be significantly oversubscribed. Following the steps below will ensure you have all the information you need at your fingertips. 

Understand The Process 

The first place to look is the Central Bedfordshire website.  Here you will find a wealth of information about Schools in Dunstable, how to apply and how places are allocated including catchment areas.   You will also find all the key dates and deadlines for  school applications.  Nursery applications are not handled by Central Bedfordshire Council and you must apply directly to each Nursery individually.

Do Your Research 

As well as information about the schools’ admissions and appeals process, you can also access links to school Ofsted reports and performance statistics from the Department of Education website.  It also offers a ‘Schools Admissions Calculator’ which (for a charge) can tell you whether you would have been offered a place in your chosen school in previous school years.  

Parent View on the Ofsted website lets you see what other parents think of any school in England - a useful source of information to make an informed choice about the best school for your child.

Visit The Schools

Decide which schools you are interested in and arrange to visit them.  This will give you the best idea of what each school is like.  Some schools do not arrange formal open days but are happy to show interested parents around the school by appointment. You will be able to find details of the open days being held by local schools on our open days page which is coming soon!

Make Your Application 

Once you have done all your research, you can access the Central Bedfordshire Council’s online schools admissions application system. You can use the help manuals available on the website to guide you through the online admissions process. Most importantly make sure you get your application in on time.  Also make sure you complete any additional forms required by voluntary-aided schools or academies and check the submission date for these, as it may not be the same as the deadline for the Central Bedfordshire Council form.

Allocations Day and Beyond

If your child does not get offered a place at one of your preferred schools straight away don't panic!  A lot can change before September. The advice from the Local Authority is that you should accept the place you have been given to ensure your child has a place at a school.  Not accepting the place risks ending up with a school you may find less desirable, or worse, no school place at all. There is a Continued Interest process to go through which will, at a point in the process, allow you to include schools that were not in your original four choices.  However, if after the Continued Interest process has concluded you are still not happy with your allocation, and you feel have sufficient grounds, you may choose to appeal to the Independent Appeals Panel.  Information on how to complete this process can again be found on the Central Bedfordshire Council website. Should you require it, there are Education Lawyers locally who specialise in this area of law and can assist with the appeals process.