How to apply for a secondary school place

Who this is for: children born between 1 September 2015 and 31 August 2016, who start Year 7 in September 2027.

Deadline: 31 October 2026 (Kent and South Tyneside: 2 November 2026). Offers: 1 March 2027.

1. Start in Year 5 or early Year 6. Most secondary schools hold open evenings in September and October of Year 6.
2. Make a list of possible schools. Search your postcode, then check each school's Ofsted report, travel time and admissions rules.
3. Read each school's admissions rules. Popular schools use criteria to decide who gets in, such as children in care, siblings, distance, catchment area, feeder primary schools, faith, or aptitude in music or sport. Some schools test for ability (see Grammar schools and the 11+).
4. Check last year's cut-off. Your council's admissions booklet usually shows how many applied for each school and the furthest distance that got a place.
5. Apply through your own council's website, even for schools in another council area.
6. Rank the schools in your real order of preference. As with primary, every school considers you equally, and you're offered the highest-ranked one that has room for you.
7. Fill every preference slot (usually three to six), and include one school you're very likely to get.
8. Some schools need an extra form, such as faith schools (a supplementary information form) and grammar schools (11+ registration). Check each school's website.
9. Submit by the deadline and keep the confirmation email.
10. Check your email on 1 March 2027 and accept your offer, even if you plan to appeal or join a waiting list (see Offer day, waiting lists and appeals).

1. Apply anyway, as soon as possible, on your council's website.
2. Your application will be treated as late. Late applications are considered after all the on-time ones, so popular schools are often full.
3. Some councils accept late applications as on-time if there's a good reason, such as moving into the area. Contact your council and explain.
4. Once offers are out, you can join waiting lists and appeal like anyone else.