School applications for Ukraine arrivals
Firstly we would like to warmly welcome individuals and families from Ukraine to Sutton.
По-перше, ми хотіли б тепло вітати окремих людей та сім'ї з України в Саттоні.
This information is for Ukrainians and their host families to help with school applications.
Ukrainian families arriving in the UK have the right to access a school place for children of school age.
You can find out more about school admissions on the Education Hub website:
You can also email suttonadmissions@cognus.org.uk if you have any questions.
Children under 5
Education or childcare might be available for children younger than 5.
The Family Information Services directory will be able to help.
Children starting school at age 5
If your child was born between 1 September 2019 to 31 August 2020, they will start school in September 2024.
In England children must go to school after they turn 5.
The application process for primary schools starts on 1 September 2023 and ends on 15 January 2024.
Find out more about applying to start primary school.
Children aged 5 to 16
In England children must go to school after they turn 5. You will have to make a school application for each child aged 5 to 16.
You have to apply for a school place using In-year admissions. You can use our vacancy checker to see which schools might have a place.
Most schools in Sutton will tell you if they have a space for your child. This is based on their vacancies. The School Admissions team will not be able to tell you the school's decision or how quickly they will make it.
Children aged 16 to 18
These children will be in Year Groups 12 and 13. You can read more on Preparing for Adulthood - Further Education.
Schools in Sutton
The majority of Sutton schools are either Academy, Voluntary Aided or Foundation Schools.
This means they make their own decisions on whether a school place can be offered.
If schools are closed during the school holidays, your application for a place may be delayed until they return.
Our school admissions team can look at your application and send it to the school. The school will tell you about waiting list positions and whether they can give you a place.
In-year admissions
Once the family has arrived in Sutton, you will need to make an in-year school application for each child.
You can use our vacancy checker to see which schools might have a place. The checker is only updated during term time.
Apply from abroad
You can apply for a school place in Sutton from another country 4 weeks before you arrive.
Information is provided on our website for all families arriving in Sutton from any other country. This guidance is the same as all UK arrivals.
Documents we need for a school application
We will need to see certain documents when you apply for a school place.
Although government guidance may change, we currently require these documents with your application.
For all applications
We will need to see Proof of Arrival in the UK. For example, travel confirmation or stamped passport, visa or paperwork.
Homes for Ukrainians Scheme
If you are coming to the UK using the Homes for Ukrainians scheme, we will need to see Proof of Arrival in the UK. For example, travel confirmation or stamped passport, visa or paperwork.
Sometimes we may need to ask for more information. We will contact you if we do.
Staying with family or friends
If you are staying with family or friends (using another scheme or the normal visa process), we will need to see a letter or email from the family you are staying with. We will need their full names and the names of everyone in your family who is staying with them.
Applying for schools not in Sutton
You can apply for schools in other boroughs. You can see the schools that are closest to your address in Sutton using the distance checker.
Find out more on other Council websites:
Home education
You can educate your children at home for a few months or longer. You can find out more on the Elective Home Education page on Cognus website.
Help us improve our site by joining our user research panel