The hardest schools to get into in Isle of Wight
Secondary: 204 families put The Island Free School first in 2026 and 111 of them (54%) were offered a place.
Reception: 45 families put Dover Park Primary School first in 2026 and 28 of them (62%) were offered a place.
Every state school in Isle of Wight 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 | The Island Free School · Ventnor | 204 | 111 (54%) | 111 |
| 2 | Carisbrooke College · Newport | 143 | 92 (64%) | 110 |
| 3 | Christ The King College · Newport · faith | 236 | 191 (81%) | 230 |
| 4 | Lift Ryde · Ryde | 272 | 259 (95%) | 265 |
| 5 | Cowes Enterprise College, An Ormiston Academy · Cowes | 175 | 175 (100%) | 202 |
| 6 | The Bay Church of England School · Sandown · faith | 137 | 137 (100%) | 190 |
| 7 | Medina College · Newport | 53 | 53 (100%) | 109 |
Primary schools (Reception)
Getting into a school in Isle of Wight
What is the hardest school to get into in Isle of Wight?
For secondary places, 204 families put The Island Free School first in 2026 and 111 of them (54%) were offered a place. For Reception, 45 families put Dover Park Primary School first and 28 of them (62%) were offered a place.
How many families in Isle of Wight get their first-choice school?
83.4% of families applying for a secondary place got their first preference, and 94.5% 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 Isle of Wight published it in its admissions booklet.