Starting in Reception in September 2026
The timeline below shows the steps you need to take if your child is due to start school in September 2026.
You can apply online or on a paper copy. The paper copy of the form can be obtained from the school office. If you have missed any deadlines, please ask the school office and they will try their best to help you.
Online
www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/admissions Ask your school office for an application form
Timeline for Secondary school applications for September 2026
In Year Applications – any year group
School Office Telephone Number: 01244 259 666
School e-mail Address: admin@jhgodwin.cheshire.sch.uk
There are two main reasons why you might be applying for a school place other than at the time of normal admission rounds, these are:
- Moving house
- Unhappy with your child’s current school
If you are experiencing problems at your child’s current school, moving to a new school may not mean that a problem is resolved. Many things worry parents and pupils which can be sorted out without the need to move and it is always better to try and sort problems out rather than simply walking away from them. It is recommended that you talk to your child and staff at the current school to discuss your concerns and look to resolve outstanding issues.
If you feel a move is necessary, you will need to apply for a new school this is called an in-year application.
Identifying A New School
Points to Consider:
- In making the change you will need to consider how you will get your child to school. You are responsible for getting your child to school, if you choose a school that is distant from your home address, this could mean that you pay the transport costs.
- Ofsted Rating, you may wish to look at potential new schools’ Ofsted rating. Every school will have their current Ofsted report on their website for potential parents to read.
- Read about the schools ethos and values, does this meet your own?
- Does the school have before and after school care if required?
Once you have identified which school you wish to apply for, there are several parts to the process:
- Contact the school to identify if there are any spaces
- Make an appointment to see the headteacher for a tour of the school.
- Make the school aware of any specialist arrangements that are required for your child / children
If, after considering the above you wish to proceed with the application, and it is within Cheshire West and Chester, you will need to do this on line through Cheshire West and Chester (link below)
If it is in another borough, you will need to contact the relevant local authority and apply using their form.
Once we have received your application, we will contact you to confirm a start date, and confirm, in writing (email) that you have been offered a place. We aim to respond within 10 school days. If we are unable to offer your child/children a school place, we will inform you, in writing (email), within 5 days providing you with a reason why we cannot admit your child.
We anticipate that once a place is offered, you will take up the place on the date agreed, failure to do so may result in the offer being withdrawn.
National Curriculum Year Groups:
Please note that within Blacon Educational Village, we will always contact the previous school before accepting applications.
For applications received via CWAC
In Year Fair Access Protocol
The Fair Access Protocol operates outside of the normal admissions round. It is an agreement between the Local Authority and all of its schools to ensure fairness and equity so that all children, particularly the most vulnerable are offered an appropriate school place as quickly as possible. For more information of FAP, contact the LA.
The school is responsible for managing in-year applications. At J H Godwin, applications for school places are processed in order of the date of application, unless directed by the local authority via the Fair Access Protocol.
For further information regarding admissions, catchments, free school meals etc please go to Cheshire West and Chester’s website here
