School Admissions Timeline: Key Dates for 2025/26

Applying for a school place can feel overwhelming, but the process follows a clear timeline. Whether you're applying for a primary reception place or a Year 7 secondary place for September 2026 entry, this guide walks you through every key date and what you need to do at each stage.

How School Admissions Work in England

All state school admissions in England are coordinated by your local authority (LA), even if the school is an academy or free school. You apply through your LA's admissions portal (usually online), listing your preferred schools in order. The system uses an equal preference scheme - this means each school considers your application without knowing where you've ranked it. Your ranking only matters if you qualify for a place at more than one school, in which case you'll be offered your highest-ranked option.

This is important: there is no advantage to putting a school as your first choice. Schools cannot see your ranking. So always put your genuine first-choice school first, even if you think it's a long shot.

The Full Admissions Calendar

Spring/Summer 2025: Research Phase

This is the time to start your research. You're not applying yet, but you should be:

• Identifying schools in your area - use School Signal to search by location and compare schools
• Understanding how catchment areas work and checking previous years' admission distances
• Reading the most recent Ofsted reports for schools you're interested in
• Talking to other parents and attending any informal community events
• If considering grammar schools, registering for the 11+ (registration often opens in May/June for tests in September)

September – October 2025: Open Evenings and Applications Open

This is a busy and important period:

• Open evenings and open days: most secondary schools hold their main open evening in September or early October. Primary schools also hold open sessions, often slightly later. Attend as many as you can - they're invaluable for getting a feel for a school
• 11+ tests: in areas with selective schools, 11+ entrance tests typically take place in September. Results usually arrive in October
• Applications open: your local authority's online application portal opens, usually in early September

31 October 2025: Secondary Application Deadline

This is the national deadline for secondary school applications (Year 7 entry for September 2026). You must submit your application to your home local authority by this date, even if the schools you're applying to are in a different LA area.

You can usually list 3 to 6 preferences, depending on your local authority. Use all your preferences - there's no tactical advantage to listing fewer schools.

November 2025 – January 2026: Primary Research Continues

If you're applying for a primary reception place, you still have time. Use this period to:

• Visit primary schools - many hold tours throughout the autumn term
• Check each school's oversubscription criteria carefully
• Measure the walking distance from your home to the school gate (not as the crow flies - local authorities use different measurement methods)

15 January 2026: Primary Application Deadline

This is the national deadline for primary school applications (reception entry for September 2026). The same rules apply - submit through your home local authority and use all available preferences.

1 March 2026: Secondary National Offer Day

On 1 March (or the next working day if it falls on a weekend), local authorities send out secondary school offers. You'll find out which school your child has been allocated. Most local authorities email results first thing in the morning, with letters following by post.

If you receive your first-choice school, congratulations - accept the place promptly. If you didn't get any of your preferred schools, don't panic. Read our guide on how to win a school admissions appeal and consider your options carefully.

16 April 2026: Primary National Offer Day

On 16 April (or the next working day), primary school offers are sent out. The same process applies - you'll be offered a place at the highest-ranked school where you met the admissions criteria.

After Offer Day: Accepting, Waiting Lists, and Appeals

Once you receive your offer:

1. Accept or decline: you usually have two to three weeks to respond. Accept the offered place even if you plan to appeal for a different school - accepting doesn't affect your appeal
2. Waiting lists: you're automatically placed on the waiting list for any school you ranked higher than the one offered. Waiting lists are ordered by the school's oversubscription criteria, not by when you joined the list. Movement can happen right up until September and sometimes beyond
3. Appeals: you have the right to appeal for any school that turned you down. Appeal deadlines are typically 20 school days after offer day for on-time applications. The appeal is heard by an independent panel

What If You Miss the Deadline?

Late applications are processed after all on-time applications. This significantly reduces your chances of getting a preferred school, especially for popular schools. If you do miss the deadline, submit your application as soon as possible - late is always better than not applying at all.

In-Year Admissions: Moving House Mid-Year

If you move house or need a school place outside the normal admissions round (for example, in Year 4 or Year 9), you apply through the in-year admissions process. This is handled differently:

• Contact the local authority where you're moving to, or apply directly to the school if it's its own admissions authority
• There are no set deadlines - applications are processed as they're received
• If a school has space in the relevant year group, they must offer a place
• If the school is full, you can join the waiting list or appeal

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Not using all your preferences: listing only one or two schools doesn't improve your chances at those schools - it just means you have fewer safety nets
• Assuming catchment guarantees a place: living in a school's traditional catchment area doesn't guarantee a place. Catchment distances can shrink year on year as areas become more popular
• Putting a "safe" school first: remember, schools can't see your ranking. Always put your true first choice first
• Forgetting supplementary forms: faith schools and some academies require a separate supplementary information form (SIF) in addition to your main application. Missing this can mean your application isn't considered under the right criteria
• Not researching oversubscription criteria: every school publishes its criteria for allocating places when oversubscribed. Understanding these is essential for realistic expectations

Choosing the Right School

The admissions process is important, but it starts with choosing well. Our guide to choosing a secondary school covers what to look for, and if you're considering a selective school, read the 11+ explained for a full breakdown of the process.

Use School Signal to search for schools near you, compare results, check catchment distances, and read Ofsted summaries - all in one place.