School admissions key dates 2026 to 2027

This page lists the key dates for children starting school, or moving to secondary school, in September 2027. The dates apply to state schools in England, where national closing dates and offer days are set in law. Your council's guide for parents will confirm its own timetable. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland are summarised at the end.

Starting secondary school in September 2027

This applies to children currently in Year 6.

Autumn 2026: applications open. GOV.UK says secondary applications usually open on 1 September.
Saturday 31 October 2026: closing date for on-time secondary applications. Because this is a Saturday, check whether your council's helpline is open, and apply early if you can.
Monday 1 March 2027: national offer day for secondary schools. Your home council sends one offer for your child.
March 2027: reply by the date given in your offer letter, or the place may be withdrawn and offered to someone else.

If your child sat a grammar school test, admission authorities must take all reasonable steps to tell you the result before 31 October, so you can decide which schools to name. Faith schools and some others may also ask for a supplementary information form, with its own deadline set by the school.

Starting primary school in September 2027

This applies to children born between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2023, who will start Reception in September 2027. The same timetable usually applies to applications for Year 3 at junior schools.

Autumn 2026: applications open. GOV.UK says primary applications open in September.
Friday 15 January 2027: closing date for on-time primary applications.
Friday 16 April 2027: national offer day for primary schools.
April to May 2027: reply by the date given in your offer letter.

You must apply even if your child attends the school's nursery or has a sibling there. Most children start Reception full-time in the September after their fourth birthday. You can ask to defer the start or for part-time attendance until compulsory school age, but you still apply at the same time as everyone else. Parents of summer-born children, born between 1 April and 31 August, can ask for their child to start Reception a year later, outside their normal age group. The admission authority decides each request.

In areas with first, middle and upper schools, entry points can differ. Your council will explain which timetable applies.

When offer days fall at a weekend

National offer days are 1 March for secondary and 16 April for primary. If either date falls on a weekend or bank holiday, offers are sent on the next working day. In 2027 both dates fall on weekdays, so offers are due on Monday 1 March and Friday 16 April. In 2026, for example, secondary offers were made on Monday 2 March because 1 March was a Sunday.

Appeals

If your child is refused a place, you can appeal. Admission authorities must publish their appeals timetable on their website by 28 February each year, so timetables for 2027 entry should be available by Sunday 28 February 2027.

You must have at least 20 school days from the date you were told your application was unsuccessful to lodge an appeal. For secondary refusals this usually means a deadline in late March or April 2027; for primary, usually in May 2027. Exact dates depend on the admission authority and the school holidays.
Appeals lodged on time must be heard within 40 school days of the appeal deadline, so most normal-round hearings take place in the summer term.
You must receive at least 10 school days' notice of your hearing.

Our guide to school admission appeals explains the process in more detail.

Waiting lists

If your child is not offered a school you named, you can ask to stay on its waiting list. Admission authorities must keep waiting lists for September 2027 entry open until at least 31 December 2027. Your child's position depends on the oversubscription criteria, not on the date they joined.

In-year admissions

If you need a school place outside the normal entry points, for example after moving house, you can apply at any time. Councils must publish by 31 August each year how in-year applications work in their area. Depending on the school, you apply through the council or directly to the school. You should be told the outcome in writing within 15 school days, and if your child is offered a place, they should start as soon as possible.

Sixth form and later dates

You apply directly to a school sixth form or college for Year 12 places. Each school or college sets its own dates.

Schools are now setting their admission arrangements for September 2028 entry. If you think a school's arrangements are unlawful or unfair, you can object to the Schools Adjudicator. The deadline for objections is 15 May 2027.

Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

Wales: you apply through your local authority for most schools. Welsh rules use closing dates of 31 October for secondary and 15 January for primary, and national offer dates of 1 March 2027 for secondary and 16 April 2027 for primary. Check your local authority's guide for its exact dates.

Scotland: the school year starts in August. Children born between 1 March 2022 and 28 February 2023 are usually due to start Primary 1 in August 2027, and councils set their own enrolment dates. If you want a school other than your catchment school, make a placing request. A request made by 15 March 2027 for August entry should receive a decision by 30 April 2027.

Northern Ireland: the Education Authority publishes its key dates each year. For September 2026 entry, Primary 1 applications ran in January 2026 and Year 8 applications from late January to February 2026, with outcomes in March and May. Expect a similar pattern for 2027, but check the Education Authority's website for confirmed dates.

Wherever you live, dates can vary, so always confirm them with your council or education authority.

Sources: GOV.UK: How to apply, GOV.UK: School starting age, GOV.UK: School waiting lists, GOV.UK: Appealing a school's decision, GOV.UK: Admission criteria, Department for Education: School Admissions Code 2021, Department for Education: School Admission Appeals Code 2022, Department for Education: Applications and offers 2026, Welsh Government: Co-ordination of school admission arrangements, Parentzone Scotland: Starting school, Education Authority: Key dates for Primary 1, September 2026, Education Authority: Key dates for post-primary, September 2026