01/09/2026
USEFUL INFORMATION FOR MIDDLETON PARENTS/ GUARDIANS RE School Admissions from Rochdale Council
Applications for Reception and Year 7 places for September 2027
The Council’s Parent Portal is now open for parents/carers to make applications for places in Reception and Year 7 for September 2027.
Children born between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2023 are due to start primary school in September 2027. The closing date for these applications are Friday 15th January 2027.
Children born between 1 September 2015 and 31 August 2016 are due to transfer to secondary school in September 2027. The closing date for these applications is Saturday 31st October 2026.
Applications can be submitted by visiting www.rochdale.gov.uk/schooladmissions and registering for an account via our dedicated School Admissions Parent Portal.
Place allocation does not operate on a first come-first served basis and we would strongly encourage all parents/carers to read the information available and visit the schools that they think may best meet their children’s needs before applying.
Parents/carers of children with an Education, Health and Care Plan should discuss their placement preferences with their allocated Assessment and Review Officer as early as possible. Early discussions help to ensure that formal consultation with preferred schools can be undertaken in a timely manner and support effective transition planning. The team can be contacted on 01706 925981.
In the normal admissions round, parents and carers are able to name up to five schools as preferences and, in order to maximise their chance of being offered a place at a school of preference, we recommend that ALL five preference options are used.
It is very important that applications are submitted before the closing date as those received after have a greatly reduced chance of being placed at one of their preferred schools.
In-year transfers and in-year applications for new school places
If a parent/carer has recently moved to the Rochdale area and needs to apply for a school place, or if the parent would like to change their child’s school, they would need to make an in-year application.
Applications for in-year places may follow a different process depending on who the admission authority is for the school. If the school is a Community or Voluntary Controlled school, the applications should be submitted online to the LA via the Parent Portal. If the school is a Voluntary Aided school, Foundation school or Academy, the application may be submitted to the LA if the school opts in to the LA process or they may be submitted to the school directly if the school has not opted in. A list of schools and where in-year applications should be submitted is available on the website. Further help and information can be found here In-year school transfers (rochdale.gov.uk)
We aim to process applications within 10 school days and send notification of the outcome of an application within 15 school days.
Online applications
The Council only accepts applications for places that are submitted online using the Parent Portal that can be accessed via www.rochdale.gov.uk/schooladmissions.
The portal can be accessed using smart phones and tablets as well as computers and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Free internet access is available at each of the Borough’s Libraries and also at Number One Riverside. Additionally, any of the schools in the borough can also assist in submitting applications. The School Admissions team is available via telephone, email and in Riverside (by appointment to allow) to provide any additional help, support or guidance that our families might need when engaging with the application process.
If any further information is required or if anyone has any further enquiries, they can telephone the Contact Centre who can provide additional information and guidance on 0300 303 0340 or email [email protected]
Appeals Process
If a parent/carer has not been granted a place at their preferred school, they are notified of their right to appeal. This process sits outside of Children's Services and is managed by the school appeals team within the Legal & Governance Service, Corporate Services Directorate, who can be contacted at [email protected]
Every appeal is heard by an independent panel, and its decision is legally binding. Neither councillors or council officers, including the school admissions and school appeals teams, are involved in making the decision on an appeal. The parent/carer is notified of the outcome of their appeal in writing and provided with details of how to make a complaint (to the ESFA/Ombudsman as appropriate) if they believe the appeal was not conducted correctly or fairly.
Councillors may be asked by residents to help in several ways, including contacting the school appeals team on the resident’s behalf or providing a letter of support that the panel will consider alongside all the other evidence. Further information can be found here: www.rochdale.gov.uk/schoolappeals
Assistance with Transport Costs to Mainstream Schools
In some circumstances, parents/carers may be eligible to apply for a bus pass for their child’s journey to and from school. Further information can be found here Free bus tickets for primary school and high school transport | School travel expenses | Rochdale Borough Council
The new Greater Manchester Mayor has recently announced a widening of free school travel passes for young people aged 11-18, potentially effective from 1st January 2027. We are awaiting further details of how parents/carers can access this offer.
Assistance with School Uniform
Uniform For All promote a uniform recycling scheme that parents/carers can access to help with the provision of school uniform for their children. Further information can be found here Our Uniforms | Uniform For All https://www.uniformforall.co.uk/uniforms
Free School Meals
Some families,who meet the national eligibility criteria may qualify for free school meals. This is managed by the Council’s Revenue and Benefits Service and further information and an application form can be accessed here Apply for free school meals | Free school meals | Rochdale Borough Council https://www.rochdale.gov.uk/benefits-money/free-school-meals
Apply for places at primary or secondary schools, view information on school places for children with special educational needs and more.
