What types of secondary schools are available?

What is the secondary school application process?

You must apply online through your local council’s website, even for schools in other areas.  Your local council is who you pay council tax to. You will need to list 6 schools in order of preference. 

Key dates:

• 31st Oct 2025: National closing date.
• 2nd Mar 2026: National Offer Day

What are the top tips!

• DO read your local authority’s admission brochure and visit the schools.

• DO apply on time and provide all the requested documentation to make sure the appropriate priority is applied to your application.

• DO familiarise with the school’s oversubscription criteria and how places were allocated in the past -  be realistic about the chances of your child getting a place at the school.

• DON’T name only one or two schools thinking it will guarantee you a place at that school - it won’t!

• DON’T contact your MP or councillor if you do not get allocated a place at your preferred school. They have no authority to change the decision. Only the appeal panel can require a school to admit a child if they are full.

We defered my child's start in Reception - does that impact their  secondary school application process?

Yes.

For Reception deferred children, parents must contact their local authority to request admission out of the normal age group.  You must do this when your child is in Year 5 before October 31st deadline for the standard admissions round.  There is no guarantee of deferred Year 7 admission: Reception deferred children have no automatic entitlement to a deferred Year 7 place at a preferred school. 

My child is applying to an Independent (fee-paying) school and they will require a reference from St James's.  How do I obtain one?

A charge of £50.00 per child will be applied in Arbor. (£20.00 of each report will be donated to CAFOD charity.)

This charge covers time spent by numerous staff contributing to the report. The school monies will be put directly into the school funds and used for the enhancement of children’s education.

If your child is applying to an Independent school, please send an email in advance to info@ with the following information: