How to apply for religious schools in London

Relocating to London and exploring schooling options can feel a bit like navigating the Tube during rush hour – lots of routes, a few awkward connections, but ultimately you’ll get there with good preparation (and a strong coffee). If you’re considering a faith‑based or religious school for your child, and especially if your child does not share the religion of the school, this article walks you through the steps, what to check, and how to maximise your chances.

If your family is relocating to the UK from overseas, you might also want to explore this guide to family immigration on our sister site. It covers the essentials of bringing your family to the UK.

1. Understanding the basics: what is a faith school & who can apply?

A “faith school” (or religious school) is one that has a formal religious character — for example Christian (such as Church of England or Catholic), Jewish, Muslim, Hindu or Sikh. They may be state‑funded (free at the point of use) or independent (meaning private, fee‑paying).

Important note: anyone can apply to many faith schools, even if your child is not of that faith. According to the official guidance: “Faith‑schools are open to all children”.

However: many faith schools are oversubscribed and apply additional criteria (including faith‑based criteria) when demand outweighs places.

2. Key steps in the application process

Here are the broad steps, with notes for non‑faith children in a faith school context:

a) Research your preferred schools early

• Identify faith schools in your desired London borough (or neighbouring ones).

• Visit their websites and look up their Admissions Policy or Oversubscription Criteria.

• Check deadlines (these differ for primary versus secondary, and for state versus independent).

• If you’re relocating from abroad, reach out to the school’s admissions team to ask how they handle international or recently moved families.

b) Application via your local authority (state‑funded schools)

• For state‑funded schools you’ll typically apply via your local council for the main admissions round (for Reception year in primary, Year 7 in secondary).

• In addition to the main form, many faith schools ask for a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) or similar, which may ask about religious practice or affiliation.

c) Supplementary Information Form (SIF) and faith criteria

• The SIF may ask you to declare your faith, provide a reference from a faith leader or show evidence of religious practice.

• If your child is not of the faith, you still can apply. Many schools will consider them under the “open” or “other faith/none” category, but you need to ensure you meet the non‑faith criteria (which may be distance, siblings, etc). Please note that there might be quotas for these categories.

• Important: If you do not complete the SIF (when needed) by the deadline, you may miss out on the faith‑criteria route and will be considered only under general criteria (which may reduce your chance if high demand).

d) Oversubscription criteria

If the state school receives more applications than places, they apply the published oversubscription criteria, for example:

• looked‑after children (top priority) such as orphans

• siblings already at the school

• children of the faith (if a faith school)

• children living nearest

• children of no faith or another faith (depending on the policy)
  If your child is not of the religion, you’ll often fall into the latter category, which may mean you are further down the priority list.

For private schools, the oversubscription criteria are individual to each school, and not necessarily transparent to applying families.

e) Offers & appeals

• State Schools: if you’re applying for Reception or Year 7, you’ll receive an offer on the national offer day (usually in April for primary, March for secondary).

• Private Schools, other school years, & in-year applications: offers are made on a rolling basis depending on availability. Families relocating mid-year or from abroad should contact schools directly and apply as soon as possible.

3. Special considerations for non‑faith children applying to faith schools

When the child is not of the religion of the school, there are additional angles to be aware of:

1. Check how the school handles non‑faith applications

• Read the admissions policy carefully — some faith schools explicitly reserve a number of places for “children of the faith” first, then “children of other faiths / none”.

• Some may require less religious‑based evidence for non‑faith applicants but still have strong competition.

2. Be realistic about priority tiers

• If many applicants are of the faith and you are not, your child may come in on distance, sibling or general criteria.

• Where the school is highly oversubscribed (which is common in London), you’ll want a strong “plan B”.

• Applying early and possibly applying to multiple schools increases your chances.

3. Document your circumstances clearly

• Even if you’re not of the faith, ensure you submit everything required — any forms correctly completed, proofs of residence, sibling links, etc.

• Missing paperwork or deadlines often means automatic lower priority.

4. Consider ethos & culture fit

• Faith schools often have religious assemblies, worship, dress code or other practices tied to the religion. If your child is not of that faith, discuss with the school how this is handled (e.g., opt‑out of worship, how inclusive they are of other faiths or none).

• Visit the school or attend open‑days. Ask how children of other or no faith integrate and feel supported.

5. Relocation timing

• If you’re moving from abroad or out of area, give yourself time before the application deadline to settle your address, gather documentation and make contact with the school.

• State schools do ask for proof of address or residence as part of their criteria. Private schools don’t.

4. Checklist for applying to faith schools as a non‑faith/other‑faith family

Here’s a handy checklist to keep you on track:

• Research faith schools in your target London borough plus neighbouring ones.

• Download and read each school’s Admissions Policy / Oversubscription Criteria.

• Mark the application deadlines (main and supplementary forms).

• If applying to faith schools, request the SIF (Supplementary Information Form) and note whether you’re applying under faith or non‑faith criteria.

• Gather required documentation: proof of address, sibling evidence, transport links, etc.

• Attend open‑days (in‑person or virtual) and ask how non‑faith children are integrated.

• Complete your local authority application form (state‑funded) listing preferred schools (typically up to 6 choices).

• Return the SIF to the school if required, before the deadline.

• After offers are made: if you don’t get your first choice, accept the offered place (to secure a slot) and consider appeals or waiting‑lists.

• Plan logistics (transport, commuting time) – especially important in London.

5. Final thoughts

Applying to a faith school in London when your child is not of that faith is absolutely possible: many schools welcome children of all faiths or none. What matters is being well‑prepared, understanding the criteria, meeting deadlines and being realistic about competition. For relocating families, the additional factors of establishing residence, documentation and cultural fit apply.

Think of it this way: you’re not just choosing a school: you’re choosing a new base in London for your child’s development. Picking a good school, faith‑based or otherwise, that fits your family’s values, priorities and lifestyle will help them thrive in the big city.

Consult with Simply London

Ultimately, the benefits of private schools compared to state schools depend on what you value most as a family. Whatever your preference, our Schools Experts can provide personalised guidance and support when choosing the right type of education and school for your child. Using their knowledge and experience, they can help you select and apply to schools that match your child’s educational needs so they can excel.

Contact us today, or schedule a free call with us here to discuss how we can help you secure places in the best possible religious schools in London.

Need help bringing your family to the UK? Our sister site Simply UK Visa offers expert guidance on family immigration. Because getting settled starts with getting here.