The hardest schools to get into in Bracknell Forest
Secondary: 240 families put Ranelagh School first in 2026 and 162 of them (68%) were offered a place.
Reception: 42 families put Fox Hill Primary School first in 2026 and 27 of them (64%) were offered a place.
Every state school in Bracknell Forest with at least 20 first-choice applicants, hardest first. Of the families who put the school first on their application, the share who were offered a place there. Data: Department for Education; last distance offered from Bracknell Forest's admissions booklet.
Secondary schools (Year 7)
| # | School | Put it first | Of them, offered | Places | Last distance offered |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ranelagh School · Bracknell · faith | 240 | 162 (68%) | 174 | - |
| 2 | Edgbarrow School · Crowthorne | 286 | 222 (78%) | 228 | 1.13 miles |
| 3 | King's Academy Binfield · Bracknell | 169 | 141 (83%) | 164 | - |
| 4 | Garth Hill College · Bracknell | 179 | 179 (100%) | 243 | - |
| 5 | King's Academy Easthampstead Park · Bracknell | 169 | 169 (100%) | 203 | - |
| 6 | Sandhurst School · Sandhurst | 143 | 143 (100%) | 171 | - |
| 7 | The Brakenhale School · Bracknell | 118 | 118 (100%) | 172 | - |
Primary schools (Reception)
Getting into a school in Bracknell Forest
What is the hardest school to get into in Bracknell Forest?
For secondary places, 240 families put Ranelagh School first in 2026 and 162 of them (68%) were offered a place. For Reception, 42 families put Fox Hill Primary School first and 27 of them (64%) were offered a place.
How many families in Bracknell Forest get their first-choice school?
82.7% of families applying for a secondary place got their first preference, and 89.1% of those applying for Reception did (offers for September 2026).
Does putting a school first improve our chances?
Not at the other schools you name. Councils in England use an equal-preference system: every school you list is considered against its own admissions criteria, and if more than one could offer a place you get the one you ranked highest. So list schools in your genuine order of preference, and include at least one you are very likely to get.
What does "last distance offered" mean?
For schools that give places by distance, it is how far from the school the last child offered a place under that criterion lived. It changes every year with the number and location of applicants, so treat it as a guide, not a guarantee. We show it where Bracknell Forest published it in its admissions booklet.