Contents

  1. When to apply and important dates
  2. Choosing schools to apply for
  3. Apply for a place
  4. Guide to applying
  5. Admissions criteria
  6. Admissions criteria: Wimbledon Chase and Dundonald priority area
  7. Admissions criteria: Wimbledon Park priority area
  8. Offers and waiting lists
  9. Request delayed entry for a summer-born child

All children can start Reception in the September following their 4th birthday. If your child attends a Merton School Nursery you will be provided with information at the correct time. If your child does not attend a Merton School Nursery, please return to this website the September after your child's 3rd birthday to make an online application.

The application process for children born between 1 September 2020 and 31 August 2021 begins on 1 September 2024. If your child was born between these dates, please read the following information carefully and ensure you have submitted your online application by 15 January 2025.

We urge all parents to read through the starting primary school information online. If you are unable to do this, you can download the Starting Reception 2025 application booklet.

Full details of Merton's admission arrangements can be found on our website, however the information provided on these pages contains everything you need in order to make an application.

Applying for a Reception place starting in September 2025

The key dates for the Reception process can be found in the following table.

  • Please ensure that you meet the date for submitting your online application.
  • Submitting a late application could seriously jeopardise your chances of being offered a place at one of your preferred schools.
  • You must apply for a Reception place even if your child currently attends the nursery at a school.
  • Schools cannot guarantee places for children who are in their nursery, and your request to be considered for that school cannot be considered unless you submit a Reception application.
DateActivity
September to December 2024Parents can contact primary schools to arrange visits.
15 January 2025

Closing date for receipt of online applications. Common Application Forms should be returned to your first preference school, if this is a Merton school.

If your first preference school is not a Merton school, forms should be returned to School Admissions. All supplementary forms should be sent directly to the relevant schools by this date.

12 February 2025Closing date for applications from people moving into the borough or changing address after 15 January 2025.
By 8 March 2025Applications are ranked according to admissions criteria.
16 April 2025Offer day, letters are posted to applicants who applied using a paper form. Parents who applied online will be able to view the outcome of their application from the evening of 16 April 2025.
30 April 2025Deadline for parents to respond to offers
June to July 2025Admission appeals.
September 2025Children start school in Reception.

Contact us

School Admissions Team
Civic Centre
Morden
SM4 5DX

Email: admissions@merton.gov.uk