Year 7 starts with one October deadline.

Applying for Year 7 runs on the autumn-of-Year-6 deadline — here's how it works, and the traps that catch families out.

One application, through your own council.

You apply in the autumn of Year 6 through your own council’s portal — even for schools in a different local authority area. Your council passes your preferences on to the other authority or the school itself where needed.

Some schools move before you do.

Other schools carry their own extra steps too: some use banding or aptitude tests with their own dates, and some faith schools need a supplementary information form (SIF) sent directly to the school itself, not the council. Always check each school’s own admissions page — around 4 in 5 secondaries are academies that set their own entry criteria, not the council’s.

Equal preference, ranked honestly.

England runs an equal preference system — schools never see how you’ve ranked them, so your order only affects which offer you get if more than one school would take your child.

1. 01
   List your true order

   Schools never see your ranking, so put your genuine first choice first — naming a school lower down doesn't reduce your chances there.
2. 02
   Use every slot

   Typically 3–6 preferences; the form shows your council's limit. Leaving slots empty only narrows your own options.
3. 03
   Include a realistic option

   Check last year's cut-off distances or admission scores so at least one preference is one you're likely to get.

Naming one school only removes your say if it’s oversubscribed.

Accepting doesn’t close other doors.

Accept the offer by the stated date — accepting doesn’t affect your position on any waiting lists or your right to appeal. If you didn’t get your preferred school, you can do both.