Admissions
Choosing a school is a big decision. We want to make applying for a place at Shirley Junior School as simple and straightforward as possible.
Whether your child is starting Year 3, joining us during the school year, or preparing to move on to secondary school, you'll find the information you need below.
Not sure how the admissions process works?
Southampton City Council manages the formal admissions process, but we know the system can feel a little complicated at first.
Our short video explains the main steps, what you need to think about, how preferences work and where to apply.
Starting Shirley Juniors in Year 3
If your child was born between 1 September 2018 and 31 August 2019, they can apply to start Year 3 in September 2026. We warmly invite prospective families to visit Shirley Juniors and get a feel for our school before making their choices.
Our Published Admission Number for September 2026.
Each class has 30 children.
Applications must be submitted by 15 January 2026.
School place offers are issued on 16 April 2026.
Your Year 3 application in four steps
Explore your choices
Visit schools, read their admissions information and decide which schools you would prefer.
Check the criteria
Read the school's admissions policy, including selection and oversubscription criteria.
Apply online
Applications are made online through your local authority admissions team.
Receive your offer
Offers are sent by email or post and can also be viewed online.
Don't miss the deadline
Your application must be submitted by 15 January 2026. Late applications can be treated differently, so we recommend applying as early as possible.
Our admissions arrangements
Shirley Junior School's Admission Policy explains how places are allocated and includes:
- Selection criteria
- Oversubscription criteria
- Our Published Admission Number (PAN)
- Admission arrangements for disabled pupils
You can also find our policies on the Policies and Procedures page. For additional information about support for children with special educational needs or disabilities, visit our SEND section.
Admissions Policies
A big, huge Shirley Junior School welcome to our newest members of the SJS community. We are so very excited to be meeting you soon and can not wait to see you walking up our stairs in your dark green uniforms, hopefully in September.
Information for parents/carers including our welcome letter and prospectus can be found by clicking here or in the links at the bottom of the page.
On this page, our new to SJS Year 3 children will find lots of information about their new school and some ideas of what Year 3 is all about! We have already been working really closely with your infant school teachers and your new year 3 teachers (who you will see very soon) have lots planned to get to know you.
The Year 3 curriculum is filled with exciting opportunities to develop lots of skills. We will be uploading a video with a sneak peek of some projects you will do next year.
At SJS not only do we learn about reading, writing, maths and all the other exciting subjects, we also think very carefully about the skills we use to learn well. These are our learning values - skills which we think are REALLY important for all learners to develop. None of us are perfect at using these skills, but we're working hard to get better!
To introduce you to them, and in preparation of using them in Year 3 next year, we have created a little 'Learning Value Challenge Grid' to have a go at over the coming weeks.
Also, our 7 learning values are hidden around our website. Have a little scavenger hunt and see if you can find them all whilst seeing all the things we get up to at SJS!
Introducing the new Year 3 Superheroes
| Wordsmith | The Puzzler | Dr Sparks |
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Take a look at the attached documents to find out which teacher is which Superhero!
Looking for something else?
Open the section that best describes your situation.
02 Joining Shirley Juniors during the school year In-year transfers and changing schools
An in-year application is an application for a school place made outside the normal admissions round.
When might I make an in-year application?
You may be moving into Southampton from another local authority or another country.
You may be considering moving your child from their current school.
You may want a Year 2 child currently attending an infant school to start Year 3 in a primary school.
Moving into Southampton
If you are moving into Southampton, within the SO14 to SO19 postcode areas, from another local authority or country part-way through the academic year, you will need to complete an in-year transfer application. You can also change the schools named on an existing application if they are no longer appropriate.
Thinking about changing your child's current school?
Changing schools is a significant decision. If your child is experiencing difficulties, we strongly recommend discussing them with their current school first to see whether the situation can be resolved.
A move can have emotional, social and academic consequences and does not necessarily resolve the difficulties a child is experiencing. In-year places are also not always available.
Unless there is a relevant safeguarding reason made known to us, we will contact your child's current school when we receive an in-year transfer application.
03 Admission appeals What happens if your child isn't offered a place?
Admission appeals are considered in accordance with the School Admission Appeals Code 2022 .
What you need to know
- Appeals lodged on time will be determined in accordance with the School Admission Appeals Code 2022 before the end of the summer term.
- Appeals lodged after 15 May 2026 which cannot be added to a scheduled hearing will be determined at a later date.
- You will receive at least 10 school days' notice of your appeal hearing date.
- You can waive this right if you are late making your appeal and wish to join a hearing that is already scheduled.
- Case papers will be sent to you within a reasonable time before the hearing.
- Once you have your hearing date, additional evidence should be emailed to Democratic Services at democratic.services@southampton.gov.uk in accordance with the date given in your notification.
- Additional evidence may be submitted up to and including the day of the hearing. The panel will consider its significance and whether the hearing needs to be adjourned so all parties have time to consider it.
- Where possible, decision letters will be sent within five school days of the conclusion of the hearing.
Appeal documents
04 Moving from Year 6 to secondary school Helping our children make the next step
Year 6 is an exciting time, although moving to secondary school can naturally feel a little daunting. One of our priorities at Shirley Juniors is making that transition as smooth and positive as possible.
Upper Shirley High
We have strong links with Upper Shirley High and are both part of the same Multi Academy Partnership, The Jefferys Education Partnership .
How we support transition
Our Year 6 teachers liaise closely with every secondary school our children will attend, sharing appropriate assessment information and individual transition needs. Secondary school representatives visit the children to talk about what their new school will be like, and during the summer term Year 6 pupils attend transition days where they can meet form tutors and experience lessons.
Our relationship with Upper Shirley High also gives children opportunities to take part in activities including sports sessions, maths lessons, library tasters and ICT sessions. These experiences help make the move to secondary school more familiar and less daunting.
Applying for a secondary school place
When your child is in Year 6, you will need to apply for their secondary school place through Southampton City Council.
It is recommended that you select three schools and list them in your order of preference.
When searching for schools to add to your application, remove the postcode from the search because this may only show schools within that postcode. If you already know the school you want, try searching using just the first few letters of its name.
If you do not have access to a computer, you can use your local library or call 023 8083 3004 for further advice.
We're happy to help.
If you're considering Shirley Junior School and aren't sure what to do next, please contact us. We'd much rather help you find the right information than have you struggle through the admissions process.