Secondary School Admissions — UK Parent Guide
Everything UK parents need to know about applying for secondary school: key dates, admissions criteria, grammar school 11+ selection, and what to do if your preferred school is oversubscribed.
Key secondary school admissions facts
The common application deadline for Year 7 secondary school places in England is 31 October each year. National Offer Day falls on 1 March. Grammar school 11+ registration deadlines are usually June–July of Year 6 — register with target schools before the October common application. Secondary school admissions use a common application form submitted to your local council, listing four to six school preferences in order. Oversubscribed schools apply published criteria — catchment distance, siblings, faith, or grammar school 11+ pass — to decide offers. Grammar schools select via the 11+ entrance examination taken in September of Year 6; a pass is necessary but not sufficient, as eligible pupils are ranked.
Frequently asked questions
When is the secondary school application deadline?
The secondary school application deadline in England is 31 October each year, for places the following September. Late applications receive lower priority.
When do secondary school offers come out?
National Offer Day for secondary school places in England is 1 March. Schools use Local Authority-managed allocation based on admissions criteria.
What happens if we do not get our preferred secondary school?
You can appeal the decision. Parents have the right to appeal to an independent appeals panel. You should also accept a place at the offered school and join waiting lists for preferred schools — places often become available as families move or change their choices.
What are the admissions criteria for secondary schools?
Admissions criteria vary by school type. Community schools prioritise looked-after children, then siblings, then distance. Faith schools add a religious criterion. Grammar schools require the 11+ pass. Academy trusts set their own criteria but must comply with the School Admissions Code.
Does where you live affect which school your child gets into?
For most community schools, yes — distance from home to school is a major tiebreaker. Admissions maps (catchment areas) are published by local authorities and individual schools. You can apply to schools outside your catchment but distance criteria may disadvantage your application.