No tricks, just three choices: apply for a secondary school place by Halloween

Applications for children due to start Year 7 in September 2027 must be submitted to Hampshire County Council by 11.59pm on Saturday 31 October 2026. 

Families are encouraged to apply in good time and name three schools in order of preference. Naming only one school does not improve the chance of being offered a place there. It could instead leave families with fewer options if that school receives more applications than it has places. 

Councillor Juliet Henderson, the County Council’s Executive Member for Education, said: 

“Halloween is a useful reminder that the secondary school application deadline is approaching, but applying need not be daunting. 

“Take time to research your options, name three schools and submit your application by 31 October. Adding a second and third preference will not reduce your chance of being offered your top school. It simply gives us more options to consider if that school cannot offer your child a place. 

“There are no tricks to a strong application. Plan ahead, make full use of your three preferences and apply on time.” 

Each preference is considered separately against the school's published admission criteria. Schools do not know whether parents have named them as their first, second or third preference when considering applications for admission. 

If more than one school can offer a place, the child will be offered a place at the school ranked highest on the application. If none of the preferred schools can offer a place, the County Council will offer the catchment school, if places remain, or the nearest school with a place available. 

Before applying, families are advised to: 

▪️visit schools or attend their open events 

▪️read each school’s admission policy 

▪️check their catchment school 

▪️look at admissions data from previous years 

▪️consider how their child will travel to school

▪️name three schools in order of preference; and 

▪️submit their application by 11.59pm on 31 October 2026. 

Families intending to apply for help with school transport should include their catchment school, or nearest school where there is no catchment, among their preferences. Eligibility for transport assistance is subject to the relevant criteria.  

Applications from families living in Hampshire, excluding Southampton and Portsmouth, should be made to Hampshire County Council, even if one or more of the preferred schools is outside Hampshire’s administrative area.  

Families who apply on time will receive their offer on Monday 1 March 2027.  

Parents can apply online and find further guidance at: www.hants.gov.uk/educationandlearning/admissions .