School Admissions Timeline 2026/27 — Key Dates & Deadlines
Applying for a school place can feel like navigating a maze of deadlines, forms and waiting. This guide lays out every key date in the 2026/27 admissions cycle for primary, secondary and nursery applications in England. Missing a deadline can mean your application is treated as late, significantly reducing your chances of securing a preferred school.
Secondary School Admissions
Secondary admissions are for children moving from Year 6 to Year 7 in September 2026.
- Sep–Oct 2025 — School open days and tours. Grammar school entrance tests.
- 31 October 2025 — DEADLINE: Secondary applications close. Late applications treated separately.
- 1 March 2026 — National Offer Day: secondary places announced by email/letter.
- Mid-March 2026 — Deadline to accept or decline offered place (typically 2 weeks).
- Mar–May 2026 — Waiting lists operate. Appeals can be lodged.
- Jun–Jul 2026 — Appeal hearings scheduled and decided.
- September 2026 — Your child starts secondary school.
Primary School Admissions
Primary admissions are for children starting Reception in September 2026. Children must be aged four by 31 August 2026.
- Sep–Dec 2025 — Primary school open days and tours.
- 15 January 2026 — DEADLINE: Primary school applications close.
- 16 April 2026 — National Offer Day: primary places announced.
- Mid-May 2026 — Deadline to accept or decline offered place.
- May–Jul 2026 — Waiting lists and appeals.
- September 2026 — Your child starts primary school.
Nursery Admissions
Nursery admissions vary by local authority and provider. Most three- and four-year-olds are entitled to 15 hours of free early education per week (30 hours for eligible working parents). Some local authorities follow a coordinated timetable; others allow nurseries to manage their own admissions. Check your local authority's website or individual nursery for specific dates.
What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?
Late applications are processed after on-time applications. This means popular schools may already be full, and your child is more likely to be offered a school that was not on your preference list. If you have exceptional circumstances (such as a house move), contact your local authority immediately — they may consider your application on time.
Watch out: Even one day late can mean your application is treated as a late submission and processed after all on-time applications.
Understanding the Offers Process
When you list multiple schools in order of preference, the local authority applies each school's admissions criteria (usually distance, siblings, faith requirements) to all applicants. You receive an offer for the highest-preference school where your child qualifies. If you do not qualify for any listed school, you are offered the nearest school with available places.
Key insight: Classpot shows historical admission distances for every school, so you can see how far from the school gate successful applicants lived in previous years. This is one of the most useful pieces of data when deciding which schools to list.
How to Appeal a Decision
If your child is not offered a place at your preferred school, you have the legal right to appeal. Appeals are heard by an independent panel. You should set out why the school is right for your child and why the impact of admitting one more pupil would not be unreasonable. For infant classes (Reception to Year 2), appeals can only succeed in limited circumstances because of the legal class size limit of 30.
Key Tips for Parents
- Visit schools during open days — no amount of data replaces walking through a school.
- Be realistic about admission distances: three years of data gives a more reliable picture than one.
- List the maximum number of preferences allowed by your authority.
- Include at least one school where you are very likely to be offered a place.
- Check whether any schools require supplementary forms (faith schools, grammar schools).
- Keep your address up to date with your local authority.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the primary school application deadline for 2026?
15 January 2026 for Reception entry in September 2026.
When is the secondary school application deadline for 2026?
31 October 2025 for Year 7 entry in September 2026. This deadline has already passed.
How many schools can I list on my application?
This varies by local authority, typically between three and six. Always list the maximum number allowed.
What if I've just moved to the area?
Contact your local authority about in-year admissions. You can apply for a place at any school with availability. Classpot links to each authority's in-year application process.
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