Moving to the UK: School Admissions Timeline (International Families)

Relocation is stressful. The fastest way to reduce chaos is to get the timeline out of your head and onto paper.

You don’t need to decide everything at once — you just need the next right step, in the right order.

Related guides: UK Schools · Relocation · Parents · All blog posts

Who this is for

• Families relocating to the UK who want a clear, low-stress plan.
• Parents worried about missing admissions windows and paperwork.
• Families choosing between state / private / grammar and day / boarding.

Start with these three questions

Before you look at schools, get clarity on the basics. These three answers shape everything that follows:

• Where will you live (roughly)? Even a broad area helps with commute and catchments.
• Day or boarding? This changes weekly rhythm, support needs, and school search radius.
• State, private, or grammar? Different costs, entry routes, and deadlines.

A simple admissions timeline

Use this as a calm structure. You can move faster — but this keeps you organised and realistic.

• 6–12 months before: shortlist + plan visits

  Build a longlist, book tours/open days, and start collecting key info (fees, entry requirements, support).

  Output: a longlist of ~10 schools + a simple comparison sheet.

• 3–6 months before: applications + references

  Submit applications, arrange school reports/references, and prepare for any assessments or interviews.

  Output: applications submitted + a checklist of every document each school needs.

• 1–3 months before: logistics + settling plan

  Uniform, transport, routines, and a settling plan (sleep schedule, homework rhythm, friendships, support contacts).

  Output: “first month plan” so your child settles quickly and confidently.

What families forget (and then regret)

• Pastoral support details: “We have support” can mean very different things. Ask who checks in, how often, and what happens if your child struggles.
• Commute reality: a commute that looks fine on Google Maps can quietly drain energy every day.
• Assessment formats: 11+, school-set tests, interviews, and writing tasks all need different prep.
• Deadlines: many schools close earlier than families expect, especially for competitive year groups.

Try this next

Make a shortlist of 10, then cut it to 4 using four filters:

• Commute: is the daily journey realistic long-term?
• Culture fit: would your child feel comfortable and motivated there?
• Support: what pastoral/learning support exists if your child struggles?
• Pathway: does the academic route fit your goals (GCSEs, A-levels, IB, university routes)?

When you cut using clear filters, the decision gets much easier.

Optional: the “one-page relocation plan”

If you want to feel instantly more organised, write a single page with:

• Target areas: 2–3 possible neighbourhoods
• School type: day/boarding + state/private/grammar
• Deadline tracker: visits, applications, assessments, decisions
• Child support notes: what helps them thrive (sleep, structure, quiet time, clubs)

If you want to compare UK school types clearly, start here: UK School Types Explained.