Schools & admissions from Saltaire
A practical guide to applying for school places from Saltaire — key dates, priority areas (“catchments”), in-year moves, appeals and SEND routes. We link only to official sources and keep this page evergreen.
- Official links
- Step-by-step
- In-year & SEND
New to the area? Pair this with our Schools & Housing overview and plan journeys via Saltaire station.
Key dates (typical cycle)
Use this as a planning sketch and always verify deadlines on the Bradford Council admissions pages before you apply.
Secondary applications open (Year 6)
September
Submit preferences online; read the council guide first.
Secondary deadline
Late October
Usually end of October; late applications affect chances.
Primary applications open (Reception)
Autumn
For children turning 5 the following academic year.
Primary deadline
January
Usually mid-January; late applications affect chances.
Offer day (Secondary)
March
National Offer Day — email/online letter.
Offer day (Primary)
April
National Offer Day — email/online letter.
Appeal window
Spring–Summer
Statutory deadlines apply; see Appeals section.
Tip: set calendar reminders a week before each deadline.
How to apply (step-by-step)
Overview
Applications are coordinated by Bradford Council. You’ll submit ranked preferences online. Places are allocated using each school’s published admission arrangements.
Documents to gather
- Proof of address (as requested by the council).
- Any faith or supplementary forms (where relevant).
- For SEND/EHCP: contact the SEND team rather than standard forms.
- Step 1
Read the council admissions guide
It explains how places are allocated, oversubscription rules, faith criteria (where relevant), how to list schools, and key deadlines.
- Step 2
Check priority areas & realistic options
Use the council’s priority area (“catchment”) maps and last-year allocation stats to gauge where a place is realistic from your address.
- Step 3
Visit schools or attend open events
If possible, see the school in action. For SEND questions, ask for the SENCo at visits and read the SEN Information Report.
- Step 4
List preferences carefully
Rank schools genuinely in order. Listing fewer does not improve your chances. Include a realistic “safety” choice.
- Step 5
Submit the online application on time
Late applications are processed later and can reduce your chance at popular schools. Keep the confirmation email/receipt.
- Step 6
After offers: accept, waitlist, or appeal
Accept the offered place to secure it while you pursue waiting lists or appeals. You can hold an offered place and a waiting-list position simultaneously.
Primary vs secondary processes are similar, but deadlines differ. Start early and read the council booklet in full.
Primary vs secondary — what’s different?
Primary (Reception)
You’ll apply in the autumn/winter before your child starts school. Some schools have a priority area. Consider realistic choices within easy travel from Saltaire.
Secondary (Year 7)
Applications open in September of Year 6. Open evenings help you compare travel, curriculum and SEND provision.
Priority areas (“catchments”)
Some Bradford schools use a priority area as part of their oversubscription criteria. Use the council’s map pages to see the boundary for a school and always read the school’s full admission arrangements.
Check the map
Open the official priority area maps and search by school name. Boundaries can change — always rely on the latest council page.
Admissions criteria
Each school’s policy states how places are ranked (looked-after children, siblings, distance, etc.). Read the official PDFs before applying.
In-year moves (transfers mid-year)
Moving into Saltaire or changing schools during the year? Use the council’s in-year process. If your child has an EHCP, contact the SEND team instead of completing the standard in-year form.
How it works
- Talk to your current school first about the reasons for transfer.
- Submit the in-year application via Bradford Council.
- Keep an eye on your email for a decision letter; statutory timescales apply.
SEND/EHCP
For pupils with an EHCP (or where assessment is in progress), contact the SEND team directly to discuss placement and support rather than submitting the standard in-year form.
If you didn’t get your preferred school
You can accept the offered place, join waiting lists, and appeal. Appeals are heard by an independent panel, and statutory timescales apply.
Appeal process
Read the council guidance carefully, gather evidence (e.g., distance, sibling links, medical/social reasons), and submit the appeal within the published window.
Waiting lists
After offer day, waiting lists operate according to the same admissions criteria — they are not “first come, first served”. Keep your offered place while you wait.
In-year appeals are typically heard within 30 school days of being lodged.
Journeys from Saltaire
Saltaire station sits at the heart of the village with frequent trains along the Airedale Line. Many families also walk or cycle via the canal towpath. Check live accessibility information before you plan a new commute.
Official links & resources
Bradford Council — School admissions: Guide for parents
Primary & secondary admissions overview, deadlines, and travel help.
Priority admission area maps (catchments)
Interactive maps for priority areas (where applicable).
Admission arrangements & coordinated scheme
Official PDFs for how places are allocated each year.
In-year applications (moving school mid-year)
Process, forms and response time for transfers.
Appeals — how to make one
Statutory timetable and what happens at an appeal hearing.
Appeal form (PDF)
Use this to lodge a formal appeal (within deadlines).
Saltaire Primary — Ofsted / contact
School contact and latest Ofsted report link.
Ofsted profile — Saltaire Primary (official)
Regulator profile with inspection reports.
SEND — EHCP & assessment (Bradford Local Offer)
EHCP process & contacts; use SEND team instead of in-year form.
About school admissions (contact the admissions team)
Who processes applications, general enquiries.
Saltaire station — accessibility & facilities
Step-free category and assistance info.
Quick answers (Saltaire → Bradford admissions)
Q1.How do catchments work in Bradford?
Some schools use a priority admission area (similar to “catchments”). Check the council priority maps and each school’s admission criteria. Living in a priority area does not guarantee a place.
Q2.Does listing fewer schools improve my chances?
No. Always rank schools in genuine order of preference and include a realistic option. The system does not “penalise” you for listing more.
Q3.We moved to Saltaire after the deadline — what now?
Use the in-year application route. If your child has an EHCP, contact the SEND/EHCP team instead of using the in-year form.
Q4.Can I be on a waiting list and keep my offered place?
Yes. Accept your offered place to secure education while you remain on a waiting list or prepare an appeal.
Q5.How long do in-year decisions take?
The council aims to issue a decision within the statutory timescale (commonly up to 15 school days). Appeals for in-year applications are heard within 30 school days of lodging.
Q6.My child has SEND — which route?
If your child has an EHCP or is being assessed, admissions are coordinated with the SEND team rather than the standard in-year form. Speak to the SEND service and the school SENCo.
Q7.What about new Ofsted ratings?
Read the full inspection reports (not just headlines) on the Ofsted profile. National policy on reporting formats is evolving — always refer to the latest report text for context.
Next: make weekends easy
Explore the village like a local: where to park, what to do, and step-free routes.
Have a correction or update?
Let us know and we’ll verify and update quickly. See Contribute.