Families of children in Year 6 – it is now time to start applying for a secondary school place. You can make your application for a secondary school place from 12th September in the year when your child is in Year 6. The national application deadline is 31st October.
Children transfer to secondary school at the beginning of Year 7, and applications must be made in September/October of Year 6. There are a range of activities held each autumn for prospective parents/carers to gain additional information for individual schools.
Key Dates for the 'Secondary Round' Admissions Process
September-October 2026 – Secondary School Engagement Opportunities
12th September 2026 – Applications open
31st October 2026 – Deadline for applications
1st March 2027 (or the next working day) – National Offer Day
12th April 2027 – Appeal forms to be returned
April – June 2027 – Admission appeals heard
Secondary School Open Evenings
Prospective pupils can attend school engagement activities in September and October each year. Open Evenings are usually held each autumn for prospective pupils, parents and carers to attend and view schools. Each school holds their event on a different evening and below are the dates that we have been notified of; we advise that you check school websites for confirmation of the Open Evening arrangements.
School open evening dates 2026:
- All Saints Roman Catholic School – Tuesday 6th October 2026
- Archbishop Holgate’s Church of England School – Wednesday 14th October 2026
- Fulford School – Tuesday 29th September 2026
- Huntington School – Wednesday 30th September 2026
- Joseph Rowntree School – Tuesday 13th October 2026
- Manor Church of England Academy – Thursday 15th October 2026
- Millthorpe School – Thursday 1st October 2026
- Vale of York Academy – Thursday 8th October 2026
- York High School – Wednesday 7th October 2026
Click to download from the CYC website
Guide for Parents/School Catchment Areas
Please read the Guide for Parents before applying for a school place, it contains key information on school admissions for parents/carers, and a new guide is issued each year in September. You can also find the Guide to School Catchment Areas online.
Applications can be made until 31st October. Late applications can be made after 31st October, though these may be looked at after other applications.
Applicants will be advised of their allocated school from National Offer Day in March.
Supplementary Information Forms
If you are applying for schools outside of the City of York area or faith schools such as your local Church of England or Roman Catholic Primary or Secondary school, you may also need to provide additional information such as proof of baptism, or fill in a Supplementary Information Form (SIF) which can be found on the CYC website; if the Supplementary Information Form is not listed there please contact the school directly.
You should check with the school directly if a SIF is required, but you must always apply to your home Local Authority.
Do you live outside the City of York area?
When applying to start secondary school, your application must be made to the local authority in which you live, that you currently pay your council tax to, even if your school of preference is not in that area.
- If you are a North Yorkshire resident, you can find out about how to apply for a school place here.
- For information about school admissions via the East Riding of Yorkshire council, please see here.
We are delighted to welcome applications for our Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).