With the new school year under way, now is a good time to make sure you’re up to speed. From checking if your child is eligible for free school meals to applying for a primary or secondary school place, here are some important dates and reminders for families.

Check if your child can get free school meals

Free school meals are expanding in Islington. If you receive  Universal Credit, your child may be eligible for free school meals from the September term. 

As well as providing a healthy, nutritious meal during the school day, free school meals can help families with the cost of living, saving up to £589 per child each year. 

If your child is eligible, you may also be entitled to £150 towards the cost of school uniforms when they transfer to secondary school. 

Find out more and apply. 

Apply for a school place

If your child is due to start primary or secondary school in September 2027, you’ll need to apply for a school place. Applications are open now. 

You should apply if your child was born: 

• Between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2023 to start primary school 

• Between 1 September 2015 and 31 August 2016 to start secondary school 

The deadline for applications for secondary school places is 31 October 2026, and the deadline for primary places is 15 January 2027. 

Applications must be made online, where you can also find the complete primary and secondary school guides for 2027/28. 

If you need support with your application, contact the School Admissions Team: 

• Call: 020 7527 5515 

• Email: admissions@islington.gov.uk 

Why not sign up for advice and deadline reminders now! 

Families are welcome to visit schools to help them decide where to apply. Arrangements for primary school tours vary, but many need to be booked in advance. Check the details in the Primary School Admissions Guide. 

Secondary schools are running open mornings and open evenings through September and October. Further details are available in the Secondary School Admissions Guide

Arts and Media School, Islington (AMSI)

Open mornings: 1, 8, 15 and 22 October 2026 (9.15am-10.45am) 

Open evening: 22 September 2026 (5pm-7.30pm) 

SEND focus visit – please contact the school for more details 

Central Foundation Boys’ School

Open mornings: 6, 7, 13 and 14 October 2026 (9.30am-10.30am) 

Open evening: 1 October 2026 (First tour 5pm-6pm, second tour 6.10pm-7.10pm) 

City of London Academy, Highbury Grove

Open mornings: 1, 8 and 15 October 2026 (9am-10.15am) 

Open evening: 24 September 2026 (4.30pm-7pm) 

City of London Academy, Highgate Hill

Open mornings: 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24 and 25 September 2026 (9am-10am) 

Open evening: 16 September 2026 (4.30pm-7pm) 

City of London Academy, Islington

Open mornings: 1, 8 and 15 October 2026 (9am-10.15am) 

Open evening: 23 September 2026 (4.30pm-7.30pm) 

Elizabeth Garrett Anderson School

Open mornings: 15, 22 and 29 September, 6 October 2026 (9.30am-10.40am) 

Open evening: 8 October 2026 (5pm-7.30pm) 

Highbury Fields School

Open mornings: 29 September, 6 and 7 October 2026 (9.20am-10.30am) 

Open evening: 30 September 2026 (5.30pm-6.30pm) 

Lift Beacon High

Open mornings: 15, 23 September and 1, 9 and 12 October 2026 (9am-10am). Individual tours and ASC/SLC provision visits are available by contacting the school. 

Open evening: 29 September 2026 (4.30pm-7.30pm) 

St Aloysius’ College

Open mornings: 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 28, 29 and 30 September, and 1, 2, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 October 2026 (9.15am-10.15am). Also 19 September 2026 (9am-11am) 

Open evening: 17 September 2026, (4.30pm-6pm) 

St Mary Magdalene Academy

Open mornings: 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29 and 30 September and 1 October 2026 (Tours start at 9am and 9.15am. Ticket only – please book via the school’s website.) 

Open evening: 1 October 2026 (5pm-7pm) 

Dame Alice Owen’s School, Potters Bar

Open mornings: 13, 14 and 15 October 2026 (Tours start at 9am)