Education & skills
Education & skills in London
From a first primary place to a degree apprenticeship or a return to learning as an adult — here is where each step happens, and which borough or service does the work.
Ref · LDN-EDU · Updated 2026-07-19
London has some of the best-performing schools and colleges in the country, spread across 33 local authorities. Most education services are run by your borough or by the individual school or college, with the Mayor of London taking the lead on adult skills. This page points you to school admissions, term dates, apprenticeships, and further and adult education — and links each one to the official service that handles it.
Apply for a school place
You apply for a state school place through your local borough, not through the school. The council coordinates applications, offers places and manages waiting lists. Start on the GOV.UK school admissions page, which sends you to your council's own application form, then use the borough directory here to reach the right authority.
- Find your borough and open its admissions service.
- List your preferred schools in order — usually up to six.
- Submit before the national deadline for your child's stage.
- Wait for national offer day, then accept or appeal.
Deadlines to note
Secondary applications usually close on 31 October and primary applications on 15 January for the following September. Your borough confirms the exact local dates.
Term dates
School term and holiday dates are set by your council and by individual schools, so they can differ from one borough to the next — and academies may vary again. Always check your council's term dates page or the school's website before booking anything around the holidays.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships combine paid work with training toward a recognised qualification, from intermediate level right up to degree apprenticeships. There are thousands of live vacancies across London employers. Search and apply through the GOV.UK "Find an apprenticeship" service.
- Be 16 or over and living in England
- Not in full-time education when the apprenticeship starts
- A CV or details of your experience and qualifications
Adult & further education
It is never too late to return to learning. Further education colleges and training providers across London offer courses in English and maths, digital and technical skills, professional qualifications and pathways back into work. Many are fully funded for eligible adults.
The Mayor's Adult Education Budget
Since 2019 the Mayor of London has funded adult skills in the capital through the devolved Adult Education Budget, backing courses that help Londoners aged 19 and over gain skills, qualifications and work.
Note: This portal links to the official services. government.london is an information page — it does not process school applications or apprenticeship registrations.
Common questions
How do I apply for a school place in London?
You apply through your local borough, not the school itself. Start on GOV.UK's school admissions page, which routes you to your council's application form for primary and secondary places. Each borough runs its own admissions service and sets its own deadlines.
When are the primary and secondary application deadlines?
Nationally the deadline for secondary school applications is 31 October and for primary applications is 15 January for the following September. Check your borough's admissions page for the exact dates and any local arrangements.
Where do I find school term dates?
Term and holiday dates are set by your local council and by individual schools, so they can vary between boroughs. Check your council's term dates page or your school's website for the year you need.
How do I find and apply for an apprenticeship?
Search live vacancies and apply through the GOV.UK "Find an apprenticeship" service. Apprenticeships combine paid work with training toward a qualification, and there are openings across London from entry level to degree level.
What is the Mayor's Adult Education Budget?
Since 2019 the Mayor of London has been responsible for the Adult Education Budget in the capital, funding courses for Londoners aged 19 and over — including English, maths, digital skills and pathways to work — delivered through colleges and training providers across the city.
This is an information page. Applications happen on GOV.UK and on your borough's own admissions service.
School admissions on GOV.UK →Where to go next
Official education and skills services for Londoners.
School applications start locally
Find your council
Enter a London postcode and we'll point you to the right borough for school admissions, term dates and local education services.
Opens the official GOV.UK council finder.