Applying for schools
This is high birth rate year, you must put as many preference schools as possible (up to 6). Putting only one or two preferences doesn’t strengthen your application.
Meeting criteria such as sibling link or catchment may help your application, but it doesn’t guarantee a place at your preference school(s).
Find out about the admissions process before you apply. Don’t make assumptions. To find out the pattern of applications for schools last year, read our admission booklet 2026-27 pages 82 and 83. You can also ask admissions team at the open evening for the school, or contact us.
Make sure you apply on time by 31 October 2025. If you apply after 31 October 2025, your school place will be allocated after national offer day 2 March. Most of the schools will be full by 2 March, and you have less chance of getting your preference schools.
If you’re applying for St Edmund’s Catholic School, you must complete St Edmund’s Catholic School Supplementary Information Form 2026/27, and submit any evidence required.
If you are applying under medical/social criteria, you must tick the box on the application under the preference school, evidence will be required from a professional involved with the child, or family member, to confirm the medical/social need and why only your first preference school is suitable school. Please note not all schools have this in their admissions policies as a criterion. Sending just full copy of assessments for your child is not relevant evidence. Find out more on page 66 of the admission booklet.
National Offer Day: Monday 2 March 2026
All offers will be emailed on 2 March 2026 for on-time applicants. If we don’t have a valid email address, letters will be posted second class. Check your spam/junk/trash folder. Offers will not be advised over the phone.
We strongly recommend accepting your allocated school, otherwise your child could be left without a school place for September. This is a high birth rate year and very few places will be left after 2 March.
Waiting list and appeals
Your child will automatically be placed on a waiting list for any unsuccessful school. Waiting lists are held by order of the admission criteria so a pupil’s position on a waiting list can change and move up or down the list if new applicants join the list or other applicants leave the list.
You can also lodge an appeal for an unsuccessful school preference. Please note very few appeals are successful. The successful appeals are usually where a child/family have significant and exceptional circumstances as to why they need a place at a particular school. You can see how many appeals were successful for each school last year on page 87 of the admissions booklet 2026-27. Find out more about waiting list and appeals.