National Offer Day 2026 Dates & Deadlines
In England and Wales, Secondary School National Offer Day is Monday 2 March 2026 (moved from Sunday 1 March), and Primary School National Offer Day is Thursday 16 April 2026. Councils notify parents by email or online admissions portals throughout offer day.
Secondary School Offer Day 2026
Parents who applied online receive email notification from their Local Authority. Letters sent by second class post to non-online applicants.
Primary School Offer Day 2026
Primary and infant school place notifications released nationwide by local councils across England and Wales.
School Admissions Timetable & Appeals
Chronological guide to key dates in the UK school admissions cycle.
| Admissions Stage | Target Group | Date | Countdown |
|---|---|---|---|
Secondary School Application Deadline Final date to submit secondary school preferences (Year 7 entry) to your local council. | Parents of Year 6 pupils | Friday 31 October 2025 | Past |
Primary School Application Deadline National closing date for primary school (Reception) applications. | Parents of children turning 4 before 1 September | Thursday 15 January 2026 | Past |
Secondary School National Offer Day 2026 Councils notify parents of their allocated secondary school place (held on Monday 2 March as 1 March is a Sunday). | Year 6 applicants entering secondary school in September 2026 | Monday 2 March 2026 | Past |
Primary School National Offer Day 2026 National offer day for infant, junior, and primary school places. | Children starting Reception or transferring to junior school | Thursday 16 April 2026 | Past |
Secondary School Admission Appeals Deadline Typical deadline to lodge a formal appeal if unhappy with the allocated secondary school. | Families appealing an admission decision | Tuesday 31 March 2026 | Past |
Primary School Admission Appeals Deadline Typical council deadline to submit primary school admission appeals. | Families appealing an infant or primary allocation | Friday 15 May 2026 | Past |
11 Plus (11+) Grammar School Exam Window 2026 Grammar school entrance examinations across English selective areas (Kent, Buckinghamshire, Birmingham, Lincolnshire, etc.). | Year 6 pupils seeking grammar school entry | Saturday 12 September 2026 | Past |
11 Plus Results Day 2026 Grammar school test scores sent to parents before the 31 October secondary application deadline. | 11+ candidates and families | Friday 16 October 2026 | Past |
What to Do If You Don't Get Your First-Choice School
Always accept the school place offered to ensure your child has a confirmed school in September. Accepting an offer does not harm your chances on waiting lists or in appeals.
Your child is usually added automatically to the waiting list for higher preference schools, but check with your specific local authority as procedures vary.
You have a legal right of appeal to an independent panel for any school listed on your application where you were refused admission. Appeals must be heard within 40 school days.