Transfer to Secondary School
Key dates and deadlines for secondary school admissions
Prepare and apply
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10 September 2025 onwards
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Visit schools on open evenings and read school prospectuses
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Read schools' oversubscription admission criteria
Deadline for applying
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31 October 2025 - closing date for applications
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Submit your preference form to NNC by the closing date
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Send any supplementary information forms (SIFs) if applicable to the preferred school(s) in support of your application(s)
Offers made
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2 March 2026
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Offer emails sent or view your offer online (online applications only)
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Offer letters posted to people who sent in a paper application by the deadline
Next steps
2 March 2026 onwards
North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) will assume you have accepted the allocated place unless you let them know.
Apply to join a waiting list by sending NNC an email or a letter.
NNC will not withdraw a school place solely because you are dissatisfied and decline the offer. NNC must have notice that your child has a school place elsewhere. This is because NNC have a duty to ensure that all children are receiving their education entitlement.
Additional rounds of applications (late applications)
Late applications are dealt with in rounds. Each round has a cut off for applications to be included in it.
The allocation process can take a number of weeks, depending on how many applications are received.
Emails will be sent to all late applicants who apply online. NNC will only inform parents of children on a waiting list if they are able to offer a place. Otherwise, their child's name will remain on the waiting list for the next round.
There is no need to contact NNC after completing a late application form - NNC will contact you once an offer has been made.
Cut off dates for applications to be included in each round:
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Round 1 - 7 April 2026 (process starts 20 April 2026 and can take up to 4 weeks)
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Round 2 - 22 May 2026 (process starts 1 June 2026 and can take up to 3 weeks)
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Round 3 - 26 June 2026 (process starts 6 July 2026 and can take up to 3 weeks)
Applications received by NNC after 27 June 2026 will be processed as and when received between July and August 2026. Any applications received after then will be processed according to their in-year policy from the end of August 2026.
