When should I apply for primary school?

In England and Wales, the deadline for Reception applications is 15 January each year. Your child must be 4 years old by 31 August to start in September. Apply through your local council, not the school directly.

When should I apply for secondary school?

In England and Wales, the deadline for Year 7 applications is 31 October each year (the autumn before your child starts). Your child will be in Year 6 when you apply.

What is National Offer Day?

National Offer Day is when all families receive their school offer at the same time. For secondary schools it is 1 March, and for primary schools it is 16 April (or the next working day if these fall on a weekend).

What if I miss the deadline?

Late applications are processed after all on-time applications. This significantly reduces your chances of getting your preferred school. If you have missed the deadline, contact your local council as soon as possible.

How do waiting lists work?

If you are not offered your first-choice school, your child is automatically added to the waiting list. Position is determined by the school's admissions criteria (not by when you applied). Waiting lists must be maintained until at least 31 December.

How does it work in Scotland?

Scotland uses a placing request system. There are no national deadlines — each council sets its own dates. P1 registration typically opens in November. Contact your local council for exact dates.

How does it work in Northern Ireland?

Northern Ireland has its own admissions system. P1 applications are typically in January, and post-primary applications (Y8) in January-February. Children applying for grammar schools sit the Transfer Test in November of Primary 7.

When do independent schools accept applications?

Independent schools set their own deadlines which vary by school. Many have registration deadlines 1-2 years before entry. Check individual school websites or look for schools that have published their dates on School Atlas.

Admissions Calendar & Application Deadlines

Upcoming Deadlines

National statutory dates for the 2027-28 admissions cycle

Secondary applications open

EnglandWalessecondary

Tuesday, 1 September 2026

Apply for Year 7 places for September 2027 entry. Applications open on your local council's website.

134 days

Secondary application deadline

EnglandWalessecondary

Saturday, 31 October 2026

National deadline for Year 7 (secondary school) applications for September 2027 entry. Late applications may reduce your chances.

194 days

Reception applications open

EnglandWalesprimary

Sunday, 1 November 2026

Apply for Reception places for September 2027 entry. Applications open on your local council's website.

195 days

P1 registration (typical)

Scotlandprimary

Saturday, 7 November 2026

P1 registration typically opens in early November. Each council sets its own dates — check your local council website for exact deadlines.

201 days

Transfer Test (11+)

Northern Irelandsecondary

Sunday, 15 November 2026

Transfer Test papers are typically sat in November. Children in Primary 7 take the test to apply for grammar school places. Check SEAG or GL Assessment for exact dates.

209 days

S1 placing requests (typical)

Scotlandsecondary

Tuesday, 15 December 2026

S1 placing request deadlines vary by council (typically December-January). Contact your council or check their website for the exact date.

239 days

Reception application deadline

EnglandWalesprimary

Friday, 15 January 2027

National deadline for Reception (primary school) applications for September 2027 entry. Late applications may reduce your chances.

270 days

P1 application deadline

Northern Irelandprimary

Thursday, 21 January 2027

Deadline for Primary 1 applications via the EA Connect portal. Apply to up to 4 primary schools.

276 days

Post-primary application deadline

Northern Irelandsecondary

Friday, 19 February 2027

Deadline for Year 8 (post-primary) applications. Apply via the EA Connect portal.

305 days

Secondary National Offer Day

EnglandWalessecondary

Monday, 1 March 2027

All families receive their secondary school offer on this date (or the next working day if 1 March falls on a weekend).

315 days

P1 offer letters

Northern Irelandprimary

Tuesday, 23 March 2027

Primary 1 offer letters are sent to families.

337 days

Primary National Offer Day

EnglandWalesprimary

Friday, 16 April 2027

All families receive their primary school offer on this date (or the next working day if 16 April falls on a weekend).

361 days

Upcoming Deadlines

National statutory dates for the 2027-28 admissions cycle

Secondary applications open

EnglandWalessecondary

Tuesday, 1 September 2026

Apply for Year 7 places for September 2027 entry. Applications open on your local council's website.

134 days

Secondary application deadline

EnglandWalessecondary

Saturday, 31 October 2026

National deadline for Year 7 (secondary school) applications for September 2027 entry. Late applications may reduce your chances.

194 days

Reception applications open

EnglandWalesprimary

Sunday, 1 November 2026

Apply for Reception places for September 2027 entry. Applications open on your local council's website.

195 days

P1 registration (typical)

Scotlandprimary

Saturday, 7 November 2026

P1 registration typically opens in early November. Each council sets its own dates — check your local council website for exact deadlines.

201 days

Transfer Test (11+)

Northern Irelandsecondary

Sunday, 15 November 2026

Transfer Test papers are typically sat in November. Children in Primary 7 take the test to apply for grammar school places. Check SEAG or GL Assessment for exact dates.

209 days

S1 placing requests (typical)

Scotlandsecondary

Tuesday, 15 December 2026

S1 placing request deadlines vary by council (typically December-January). Contact your council or check their website for the exact date.

239 days

Reception application deadline

EnglandWalesprimary

Friday, 15 January 2027

National deadline for Reception (primary school) applications for September 2027 entry. Late applications may reduce your chances.

270 days

P1 application deadline

Northern Irelandprimary

Thursday, 21 January 2027

Deadline for Primary 1 applications via the EA Connect portal. Apply to up to 4 primary schools.

276 days

Post-primary application deadline

Northern Irelandsecondary

Friday, 19 February 2027

Deadline for Year 8 (post-primary) applications. Apply via the EA Connect portal.

305 days

Secondary National Offer Day

EnglandWalessecondary

Monday, 1 March 2027

All families receive their secondary school offer on this date (or the next working day if 1 March falls on a weekend).

315 days

P1 offer letters

Northern Irelandprimary

Tuesday, 23 March 2027

Primary 1 offer letters are sent to families.

337 days

Primary National Offer Day

EnglandWalesprimary

Friday, 16 April 2027

All families receive their primary school offer on this date (or the next working day if 16 April falls on a weekend).

361 days

UK School Admissions Deadlines

Upcoming Deadlines

School Events

What You Need to Know

UK School Admissions Deadlines

Upcoming Deadlines

School Events

What You Need to Know