School Admissions Timeline 2026-2027: Key Dates for Parents
Every important date for Reception and Year 7 applications in England for the 2026-2027 admissions cycle. Open days, application deadlines, offer day, and appeals.
Key dates at a glance
- Secondary (Year 7) application deadline: 31 October 2026
- Primary (Reception) application deadline: 15 January 2027
- Secondary National Offer Day: 1 March 2027
- Primary National Offer Day: 16 April 2027
- Grammar school 11-plus exams: typically September 2026 (register by July)
- You can list 3-6 preferences — use all of them
Which cycle is this for?
Keeping track of admissions dates is one of the most stressful parts of choosing a school. Miss a deadline and you could lose your place. This timeline covers the key dates for the 2026-2027 admissions cycle in England (applications in 2026, entry September 2027).
Reception entry (starting school in September 2027)
Reception admissions timeline
| When | What to do | |
|---|---|---|
| Spring-Summer 2026 | Research schools | Attend open days and tours, check catchment distances |
| September 2026 | Open days peak | Most schools hold their main open days and evenings |
| 15 January 2027 | DEADLINE | Submit your application via your local council |
| 16 April 2027 | Offer Day | You receive your school place offer |
| May-July 2027 | Next steps | Accept/decline, appeals if needed, waiting lists |
| September 2027 | First day | Your child starts school |
When
- Spring-Summer 2026
- Research schools
- September 2026
- Open days peak
- 15 January 2027
- DEADLINE
- 16 April 2027
- Offer Day
- May-July 2027
- Next steps
- September 2027
- First day
What to do
- Spring-Summer 2026
- Attend open days and tours, check catchment distances
- September 2026
- Most schools hold their main open days and evenings
- 15 January 2027
- Submit your application via your local council
- 16 April 2027
- You receive your school place offer
- May-July 2027
- Accept/decline, appeals if needed, waiting lists
- September 2027
- Your child starts school
Year 7 entry (starting secondary in September 2027)
Year 7 admissions timeline
| When | What to do | |
|---|---|---|
| Spring-Summer 2026 | Research | Start researching secondaries, visit candidates |
| Sep-Oct 2026 | Open evenings | Secondary school open evenings (peak period) |
| 31 October 2026 | DEADLINE | Submit your application via your local council |
| 1 March 2027 | Offer Day | You receive your secondary school place offer |
| March-July 2027 | Next steps | Accept/decline, appeals, waiting lists |
| September 2027 | First day | Your child starts secondary school |
When
- Spring-Summer 2026
- Research
- Sep-Oct 2026
- Open evenings
- 31 October 2026
- DEADLINE
- 1 March 2027
- Offer Day
- March-July 2027
- Next steps
- September 2027
- First day
What to do
- Spring-Summer 2026
- Start researching secondaries, visit candidates
- Sep-Oct 2026
- Secondary school open evenings (peak period)
- 31 October 2026
- Submit your application via your local council
- 1 March 2027
- You receive your secondary school place offer
- March-July 2027
- Accept/decline, appeals, waiting lists
- September 2027
- Your child starts secondary school
Don't miss secondary deadline
Grammar schools and selective entry
If you're applying to grammar schools, the 11-plus exam typically takes place in September 2026 — before the secondary application deadline. Registration usually opens in June and closes in July. Check individual school websites for exact dates.
Independent schools
Independent schools set their own timelines. Many require registration years in advance, with entrance exams in January of the year of entry. Check our fee comparison tool to compare costs.
Tips for staying on track
Admissions preparation checklist
Track your progress through the admissions cycle
Equal preference system
Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland
Timelines differ by nation. Scotland uses a catchment-based system with automatic placement. Wales and Northern Ireland have their own deadlines. Check your local council website for nation-specific dates.
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