The hardest schools to get into in York
Secondary: 229 families put All Saints Catholic School York first in 2026 and 172 of them (75%) were offered a place.
Reception: 66 families put Lord Deramore's Primary School first in 2026 and 24 of them (36%) were offered a place.
Every state school in York 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 | All Saints Catholic School York · York · faith | 229 | 172 (75%) | 174 |
| 2 | Huntington School · York | 266 | 226 (85%) | 227 |
| 3 | Fulford School · York | 302 | 279 (92%) | 286 |
| 4 | Archbishop Holgate's School, A Church of England Academy · York · faith | 305 | 285 (93%) | 294 |
| 5 | Manor Church of England Academy · York · faith | 196 | 196 (100%) | 223 |
| 6 | Millthorpe School · York | 169 | 169 (100%) | 185 |
| 7 | Joseph Rowntree School · York | 154 | 154 (100%) | 185 |
| 8 | York High School · York | 119 | 119 (100%) | 125 |
| 9 | Vale of York Academy · York | 109 | 109 (100%) | 122 |
Primary schools (Reception)
Getting into a school in York
What is the hardest school to get into in York?
For secondary places, 229 families put All Saints Catholic School York first in 2026 and 172 of them (75%) were offered a place. For Reception, 66 families put Lord Deramore's Primary School first and 24 of them (36%) were offered a place.
All Saints Catholic School YorkLord Deramore's Primary School
How many families in York get their first-choice school?
93.7% of families applying for a secondary place got their first preference, and 94.1% 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 York published it in its admissions booklet.