Please refer to the appropriate section below. Information on making an application will differ depending on whether you are interested in applying for Reception admission next September, in-year admission (during the current academic year). Please ensure you read and follow the guidance in the section relevant for your individual circumstances.
Applying for a Reception place in September 2025
Admissions to Bluecoat Primary Academy are carried out as part of the home authority co-ordinated admission arrangements. Parents or Guardian’s wishing to apply for a Reception place starting September 2025 should complete a local authority School Common Application Form by the 15th January 2025, naming Bluecoat Primary Academy as a preference.
In addition to completing the online application form with your local authority, parents or guardian’s should also complete the Bluecoat Primary Supplementary Form. The online form can be found linked below. Alternatively, if an online submission is not possible, a paper application can be collected from the academy office. Failure to complete both forms may result in your application not being considered under all possible criteria.
How do I make a late application?
The deadline for making applications for a Reception place in September 2025 has now passed. If you still wish to apply, you will need to make a Late application, by contacting your home local authority. Your application will then be consider after national offer day should a place become available.
How will I find out the outcome to my application?
All on-time applicants will receive the outcome of their application on National Offer Day, 16th April 2025. If you applied online, you will receive an email from your local authority. If you submitted a paper application, you will be sent a letter by post, which should arrive 2-3 days after National Offer Day. If you have not received the outcome of your application, please contact your home local authority for assistance.
For answers to some frequently asked questions please see the FAQ section below.
Arrangements & Key Dates
| Key Dates | Reception Sept 2025 Intake |
| 15th Nov 2024 | Applications Open |
| 15th Jan 2025 (12 noon) | Applications Close |
| 16th April 2025 | Primary National Offer Day |
Useful Website Links
Applying for a place during the Academic Year
In-year admissions to Bluecoat Primary Academy are handled directly by the Archway Learning Trust. Parents or guardians wishing to apply for an in-year place should complete the Bluecoat Primary In-Year Application Form. The online form can be found via the link below. Alternatively, if an online submission is not possible, a paper application can be collected from the academy office.
For answers to some frequently asked questions see the FAQ section below.
For nursery admissions enquiries, please refer to the Nursery Admissions page.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
The application process for primary school places opens the winter before your child is due to start school the following September. Your child should be between the ages of 3-4 at application stage and between the ages of 4-5 when they begin school. The deadline for applications for those children applying for a reception place starting September 2025 is 15th of January 2025 applications are to be made to your home local authority. If you do not apply between the correct dates set out by your Local Authority, unless for an exceptional circumstance, then your application will be considered late, and this will affect your chances of getting a place at your preferred school. You can list up to 6 school preferences. Please see the Local Authorities publication ‘Going to School in Nottingham 2025-2026’ for help when applying for a school place.
Parents or guardians wishing to apply for a Reception place at Bluecoat Primary Academy need to complete two forms:
Form 1: Local Authority School Common Application Form
To apply for a place at Bluecoat Primary Academy, you must first complete the School Common Application Form through your home Local Authority.
- If you live in Nottingham City, you can apply online through the Nottingham City Council website. If you are unable to access the online form, you can request a paper copy from the council.
- If you live outside Nottingham City, you will need to complete your home Local Authority’s School Common Application Form (e.g. Nottinghamshire County Council or Derbyshire County Council).
Step 2: Bluecoat Primary Supplementary Form
In addition to the Local Authority form, you must also complete the Bluecoat Primary Supplementary Form. If you are unable to complete it online, you can collect a paper form from the academy office.
Important: The School Common Application Form must be completed for your application to be considered. Without this, there will be no formal application to the academy. Failure to submit the Supplementary Application Form may result in your application not being considered under all possible criteria.
Bluecoat Primary Academy has a planned admission number of 60 places available in Reception. These places will be split evenly into two classes.
Within 10 school days of completing a Supplementary application form, you should expect to receive and acknowledgement emailing advising when and how your nominated referee will be contacted to complete the reference request form.
If we do not receive a returned reference from your faith referee, then the trust will not be able to rank your application under the faith criterion according to the Determined Admission Arrangements. However, your application will still be considered under any of the other eligible criteria you apply for and criterion e) distance.
Please refer to our the relevant Intake years Determined Admission Arrangements available above. This document outlines our admission criteria and explains how children are admitted to the Academy. All applications are considered under criterion e) distance. If you meet criterion a), your Local Authority will inform us once you have completed the School Common Application Form.
Yes, you are encouraged to express up to a total of 6 preferences on your school’s common application form. If you wish to apply for both Bluecoat Primary and Bluecoat Bentinck, you will need to list each academy separately, which would be 2 of your 6 preferences.
Yes, you can still make a late application by contacting your Home Local Authority. Please be aware that if this is the case and you do not have an exceptional reason, then your application won’t be considered until after all other offers have been made.
Admission into the Nursery Provision does not guarantee a place in Reception the following year. You will need to apply for a Reception place through the coordinated admissions scheme during the application period, which opens in the Autumn term the academic year before your child is due to start.
For all admissions enquiries, please email admissions@archwaytrust.co.uk, making sure to include your child’s name and date of birth to assist us in responding to your enquiry.