The hardest schools to get into in East Riding of Yorkshire
Secondary: 206 families put Hessle High School and Penshurst Primary School first in 2026 and 172 of them (84%) were offered a place.
Reception: 21 families put St Martin's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Fangfoss first in 2026 and 12 of them (57%) were offered a place.
Every state school in East Riding of Yorkshire 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.
Secondary schools (Year 7)
| # | School | Put it first | Of them, offered | Places |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hessle High School and Penshurst Primary School · Hessle | 206 | 172 (84%) | 173 |
| 2 | The Market Weighton School · Market Weighton | 138 | 124 (90%) | 126 |
| 3 | Headlands School · Bridlington | 223 | 202 (91%) | 202 |
| 4 | Beverley Grammar School · Beverley | 147 | 137 (93%) | 139 |
| 5 | Beverley High School · Beverley | 154 | 144 (94%) | 148 |
| 6 | South Hunsley School and Sixth Form College · North Ferriby | 343 | 336 (98%) | 340 |
| 7 | The Snaith School · Goole | 187 | 184 (98%) | 186 |
| 8 | Driffield School and Sixth Form · Driffield | 217 | 216 (100%) | 228 |
| 9 | Wolfreton School and Sixth Form College · Hull | 233 | 232 (100%) | 248 |
| 10 | Goole Academy · Goole | 259 | 259 (100%) | 259 |
| 11 | Hornsea School and Language College · Hornsea | 179 | 179 (100%) | 184 |
| 12 | Woldgate School and Sixth Form College · York | 176 | 176 (100%) | 197 |
| 13 | Holderness Academy · Hull | 161 | 161 (100%) | 168 |
| 14 | Longcroft School and Sixth Form College · Beverley | 146 | 146 (100%) | 155 |
| 15 | Bridlington School · Bridlington | 139 | 139 (100%) | 157 |
| 16 | Howden School · Goole | 133 | 133 (100%) | 141 |
| 17 | Withernsea High School · Withernsea | 131 | 131 (100%) | 133 |
| 18 | Cottingham High School · Cottingham | 121 | 121 (100%) | 136 |
Primary schools (Reception)
Getting into a school in East Riding of Yorkshire
What is the hardest school to get into in East Riding of Yorkshire?
For secondary places, 206 families put Hessle High School and Penshurst Primary School first in 2026 and 172 of them (84%) were offered a place. For Reception, 21 families put St Martin's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Fangfoss first and 12 of them (57%) were offered a place.
Hessle High School and Penshurst Primary SchoolSt Martin's Church of England Voluntary Aided Primary School, Fangfoss
How many families in East Riding of Yorkshire get their first-choice school?
96.8% of families applying for a secondary place got their first preference, and 95.0% 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 East Riding of Yorkshire published it in its admissions booklet.