Milton Keynes Council is the admissions authority for all community and voluntary controlled schools.

Parents of children starting school for the first time (Reception) must apply online via the Milton Keynes Council Citizens Portal:

https://emsonline.milton-keynes.gov.uk/CitizenPortal_LIVE/en

The deadline to apply for a place is usually mid-January, prior to the September start. 

Applying for a school place – Starting school for the first time

If your child was born between 1 September 2016 and 31 August 2017 they will be due to start school in September 2021.

You must apply online by the closing date (15th January 2021).  If you do not apply by the deadline your child will not be considered until after all those who applied on time.  This may adversely affect the chance of your child being offered a place.

School place offer dates

For applications received before 15 January 2021 the national offer day is 16 April 2021.

If you applied online, you can log into the Citizen Portal https://emsonline.milton-keynes.gov.uk/CitizenPortal_LIVE/en to find out what school place has been offered.  An email will be sent to you confirming the details (please note, emails will be sent out throughout the day).  If you sent a paper application you will be sent a letter.  We have no control over how long the post will take to reach you.

If you applied after the deadline of 15 January 2021, the offer days will be as below:

Allocation of Places

The council will inform you on the National Offer Day (16 April 2021) to confirm which school your child has been allocated for September.

If it has not been possible to allocate a place at your preferred school you will be advised on how you can appeal against that decision.  For information the over-subscription criteria which applies to this school is shown below.

Places are allocated at this school in line with Milton Keynes Council’s admissions criteria subject to parents/carers completing and returning an application form and taking into account the class size limits for pupils aged 5, 6 or 7 at Key Stage 1. 

Children who have a Statement of Special Education Needs will be given priority for admission with the normal admission round for children starting school for the first time (Reception) or at 7+ (Year 3).

Where there is oversubscription the following criteria will be used to allocate places:

1. A looked after child or previously looked after child including children previously in care outside of England
2. Siblings of children who are attending the school at the time allocations are made and are expected to be on roll at the school at the time of the proposed admission and the place of residence is within the catchment area of the school
3. The child's place of residence is within the catchment area of the school and there is no sibling
4. Siblings of children who are attending the school at the time allocations are made and are expected to be on roll at the school at the time of the proposed admission and the place of residence is outside of the catchment area of the school
5. Children of staff at the school where the member of staff has been employed at the school for two or more years at the time at which the application for admission to the school is made, and/or the member of staff is recruited to fill a vacant post for which there is a demonstrable skill shortage
6. "Distance" from the school to the place of residence

In the event of there being more applicants meeting any of the criteria above, places will be allocated in distance order using the distance between the child's normal home address and the school's main entrance, measured in a straight line, using the council's computerised measuring system, with those living closest to the school receiving the higher priority.

For applicants living in flats, the distance will be measured from the school's main entrance to the front door of the ground floor flat underneath the applicant's main residence.

Please refer to the council's website for detailed copy of the school's admission arrangements for children starting school for the first time in September 2021.

The Catchment Area for Ashbrook School is Two Mile Ash

Changes in your circumstances

Please make sure that the information you provide when you apply for a school place is correct. If you move address this could affect your application.  You must let the Education Access Team know as soon as possible so they can reconsider your application.

If your move means you are no longer in the defined area then you may wish to change your preference.

You will need to write to the Education Access Team giving your new address and attaching a copy of your council tax bill as proof and confirming which school/s (to a maximum of three) you would like your child considered for.

In year admissions - changing school during the year

If you are moving within Milton Keynes and want to apply for a different school place, you must apply online via the Milton Keynes Council Citizens Portal https://emsonline.milton-keynes.gov.uk/CitizenPortal_LIVE/en providing up to four preference schools. 

When completing the application, ensure that all information has been completed correctly and no information missed.  Any mistakes could affect your application.

For in-year applications, an offer is based on what is available at the time of application. Often the most popular schools are full and it is advisable to include your catchment school.

Parents can state up to four preferences on the application form.  If it is not possible to offer a place at any of your preferred schools, Milton Keynes Council will approach the school nearest to your home address with a vacancy to request a place.

Processing of applications

Milton Keynes Council aim to process your application within 15 school days, (excluding weekends and school holidays).  Once a decision has been made, if an email address has been provided on the application form, the outcome will be emailed to you.  If not, the outcome will be sent to you via second class post.

What happens next?

Once you receive an offer you must contact the school within 10 school days to accept the place or you must contact the school admissions team to decline the offer.  If you do not make contact Milton Keynes Council will assume you do not want the school place and they will withdraw the offer.

If your application has been declined, find out how to appeal or join the waiting list. 

Education Access Team – Contact details

Civic Offices
1 Saxon Gate East
Central Milton Keynes
MK9 3EJ

Telephone 01908 253338

primaryadmissions@milton-keynes.gov.uk