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Admission to Camden schools

Nursery admissions

Nursery admissions are dealt with by primary schools, children's centres and other nursery providers in Camden. Parents should apply to these directly.

Primary school reception admissions

We co-ordinate admissions for reception places at Camden primary schools. We also provide advice on transfers, vacancies and appeals.

  • The deadline to apply online for a 2026 reception place was 15 January 2026 but late applications are welcome and you can still apply now. The deadline to apply for a September 2027 reception place will be 15 January 2027
  • Read our guide 'Starting School in Camden'
  • View our new Camden School Reports, which have been created to give a rounded and fuller picture of each primary school. All of Camden's 38 primary schools are included.

Secondary school transfer

We co-ordinate the transfer from primary to secondary school for admission to all Camden state secondary schools.

Please see information below regarding in-year admissions to Camden schools.

Post-16 choices

What you decide to do after Year 11 is important for your future. At 16, you can either stay in full-time education or start working in a job that includes part-time education, such as an apprenticeship or training.

Visit Camden Learning's new website, Next Steps Post-16, to explore different learning paths and the local options available to you.

Primary to secondary school transition - a guide for parents

In Camden, it is a priority for us that children move smoothly and successfully from primary to secondary school. Here you can read or download our guide for parents:

In-year school admissions

An in-year application is when you make an application to a school outside of the normal admissions round. This is at a time when your child should already be attending school. Camden schools organise in-year admissions themselves.

Social or medical applications for Camden community schools

Find out more about this and how to apply for a school place on these grounds. See our policy and form:

Social and medical policy (PDF) 

Social and medical form (DOC)

The form needs to be returned to [email protected] within the deadline.

Children Missing Education

Please inform the London Borough of Camden if you know of a child of compulsory school age who:

  • is not on a school roll
  • is not being educated at home, privately, or in alternative provision.

If you have any queries or want to notify us of a child missing from education, please contact Sona Ruparell, School Inclusion and Children Missing Education Officer, on 020 7974 4596 or email [email protected].

CME Policy September 2025 to 2026 (PDF)

School admission policies

Consultation of the 2027/28 admissions arrangements

Camden community schools - proposed admissions policy

Find the Camden Local Authority Proposed Admission Arrangements for Entry in September 2027-28.

Camden local authority propose to reduce the PAN across two primary schools and one secondary school for the September 2027 admissions rounds.

Argyle Primary School reduce admission number from 45 to 30.

Richard Cobden Primary School reduce admission number from 60 to 30.

Hampstead School reduce admission number from 210 to 180.

The proposal is part of a wider undertaking by the council to reduce PAN due to falling population across the borough and will come into effect from September 2027.  

This recommendation is part of Camden’s wider school sufficiency planning. Forecasts show a decline in pupil numbers across the borough, resulting in a significant surplus of primary school places. Without intervention, Camden could have 1,523 places for only 1,120 Reception pupils in 2027, leaving 26% of places vacant.  

At the Secondary level, Camden could have 1,659 places for only 1,370 Year 7 pupils in 2027, leaving 17% of places vacant.  

Reducing PAN will help ensure resources are used efficiently while maintaining high-quality education. Even with this change, there will still be sufficient places for local children.  

Why this is necessary

  • Falling birth rates and population trends mean fewer children entering Reception and Year 7 across the Borough.
  • Surplus places can impact school budgets and sustainability.
  • Adjusting PAN helps maintain a balanced and efficient school system.

Consultation timeline  

  • Consultation opens on Friday 19 December 2025
  • Consultation closes on  Friday 30 January 2026
  • Determination deadline is Saturday  28 February 2026

How to respond  

We welcome your views on this proposal. Please submit your comments by 30 January 2026  by:  

  • email: [email protected]
  • post: Admissions Team, London Borough of Camden, Town Hall, Judd Street, London WC1H 9JE  

Thank you for taking the time to share your views. Your feedback is important in shaping the future of our school community.

St Paul's Primary School - proposed admissions policy

Find the St Paul's Admissions Policy.

Find the St Paul's Supplementary Information Form (2027-28).

The consultation period begins on Friday 19 December 2025 and ends on Friday 30 January 2026. Send any comments.

Here is the summary of changes to St Paul’s admissions policy within the foundation criteria:

  • expanded the list of qualifying churches to include any church that is a member of Churches Together in England or the Evangelical Alliance; this is designed to be more inclusive of churches in our local community
  • reduced the qualifying period of church attendance from two years to one year; this is designed to reflect high pupil mobility in Camden

Maria Fidelis Catholic School FCJ - proposed admissions policy

Find the Maria Fidelis - Formal Consultation on Admission Arrangements for September 2027.

Camden community schools - determined school admission arrangements