Early Secondary school applications

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How do DP put DC names down for a named secondary school pre Year 5/6?

For state secondary schools, they can’t.

You make a state secondary application in the first term of year 6. Numbers vary by area but you list 3-6 preferences. Applications are due in by 31/10 and you find out your allocation at the beginning of March.

What year is your child in? As previous poster said, there is an application window. It doesn’t make any difference when you apply, during that time, as it’s not first come, first served. Admission is based on the admissions criteria.

Just been through it twice. In our case - towards the very end of Y5 the nearby schools would get fliers sent via the class teacher for open evenings, and then send them again very early in September when they'd started Y6 - these are usually mid-September and will also be on school websites etc. You go around, look at the facilities, avoid the laps of overenthusiastic Y7s who've volunteered to help to get their hands on the biscuits and snacks being handed out and have been rammed full of sugar by their form tutor who foolishly handed out sweets (yes this was DD1!), go look around and then you go home and fill in your list of preferences on the LEA portal by the deadline (which I think is normally early October) then you just sit tight till National Offers Day.

It's worth going for a look round every secondary you're possibly interested in - they usually put on a load of fun stuff for the kids to get involved in while you can ask questions and it's nice to get a feeling for the general vibe of the place and how your child will fit in.

I will not be letting DD1 volunteer to help with tours again this year - she was a steamroller of enthusiasm.

Deadline is 31st October.

As PP said you can’t put a name down early. Deadline is 31st October for Y6 pupils. It makes no difference if you apply when applications open or if you apply on 31st, applying earlier in the process does not effect getting a place or not. Check the admissions criteria of the school(s) you’re applying for.

Presumably your DC is currently at an independent school and you never made an application for a state primary school place for reception? Because the secondary admissions process is exactly the same as the reception one, just with a different national deadline and offer date.

If everyone has misinterpreted you question and you aren't actually asking about state school applications for year 7, then the answer is to ask each school you are interested in how its admissions process works.

Although some secondary schools require banding tests or the 11+ as part of the admission process, which is different to primary school admissions.

Unless it is state selective or private you cannot apply until early year 6. If your dc has a EHCP there is a process to name a particular school in advance.

Although parents need to register for the 11+ at some state selective schools before Y6, you can’t actually submit the school admission application until Y6.