Applying for a New Primary 1 Place

Primary 1 School Age

If your child was born between 2 July 2021 and 1 July 2022, they are due to start P1 in September 2026 as they will be of Compulsory School Age and you must apply for a place in a Primary School.

Children born on or between 1 April 2021 and 1 July 2021 (inclusive) and children born before 1 April 2021 but with a due date on or after 1 April 2021 whose parents deferred their admission to primary school in September 2025 must also now apply for a place in a Primary School for September 2026.

Children born on or between 1 April 2022 and 1 July 2022 (inclusive) and children born before 1 April 2022 but whose due date was on or after this date may submit a request to defer P1 admission for September 2026. For more information visit ‘Deferral of School Starting Age’

How do I apply?

Online applications will open at 12 noon on Wednesday 7 January 2026 and will close at 12 noon on Wednesday 21 January 2026.

Before starting your child’s application:

Find schools in your area
Read the Admissions Criteria
Check what supporting documentation is required to be uploaded with your application
List at least four preferences on your application
Check whether transport assistance will be available for your child. Education Authority Transport Eligibility Checker
View our step by step Admissions Videos and Guidance

Places are NOT allocated on a first come, first served basis. Schools WILL NOT consider applications until after the closing date.

Carefully select those schools that you wish to nominate as some schools have similar names e.g. St Mary’s PS, Omagh, St Mary’s PS, Banbridge. Some schools give priority to applicants who have listed their school as first preference; therefore, applicants who list the school at a lower preference may have less chance of obtaining a place at the school.

It is extremely important that you provide all relevant details on your application as this information will be used by individual primary schools to determine which children will be selected for admission. 

Supporting Documents

• Birth Certificate
  All schools will require a birth certificate to verify a child’s name and date of birth. Either a full (long) or short birth certificate may be used. An amended birth certificate or an adoption certificate, where appropriate, is acceptable. If a birth certificate is not available you should contact the school to determine what alternatives may be acceptable e.g., a biometric card, passport, medical card etc.         
• Other Supporting Documents
  Check the admissions criteria for each of the schools you have listed, as some schools ask for additional documentation such as proof of address and/or proof of eldest child. This documentation may be requested at the time of application, during the process or at the notification of placement. If verifying documents are being requested at the time of application you will need to upload the information on EA Connect for all school choices.

If you do not supply the documents requested this could lead to the inability of a school to offer a place to your child or the withdrawal of an offer of a place.

If a school has asked for documents which you do not have, or if it is unclear what type of documents are needed, you should email or phone the school directly to find out what they will accept as it can vary from school to school.

Late Application

An application received after 12 noon on 21 January 2026 and by 4pm on Monday 26 January 2026 will be treated as a late application. Only those applications received by 4pm on 26 January 2026 will be processed during the admissions procedure. Late applications received after this date will not be considered until the admissions procedure has ended on 23 March 2026.

Having a late application could reduce your child’s likelihood of gaining a place in your preferred school i.e. should the school you are applying to receive more applications that it has places available it will firstly consider all punctual applications (including second and subsequent preference applications) before your application is considered.

Outcome of applications

Monday 23 March 2026

If you submitted a punctual application on EA Connect you will receive an email notification to the address you registered with. This email will provide you with the outcome of your child’s application. For more detailed information you can log in to EA Connect. Applicants who submitted a paper application will either be advised of the outcome by email (if supplied on application form) or by letter.

Transport Eligibility

Check whether transport assistance will be available for your child for Primary School by using our Transport Eligibility Checker.

Special Educational Needs

If your child is currently undergoing statutory assessment and does not yet have a Statement of Special Educational Needs, you will need to apply for a pre-school, primary or post primary school place.

If your child has a Statement of Special Educational Needs, placement will be discussed with you as part of the annual review of your child’s statement and therefore an application should not be made on EA Connect.

If you require more information, please contact the Statutory Assessment and Review Service on 028 9031 7777, Option 1.