THERE are only a few days left to apply for a secondary school place for September 2026. The window for applications closes on 31 October 2025.

Parents and carers can submit their applications at www.essex.gov.uk/admissions

The website includes information on different schools and their admissions criteria.

The deadline for applications is a national deadline. Applications made after this date will be considered once all on-time applications have been determined.

This means applying late could reduce the chance of a child being offered a place at their preferred school.

When submitting their applications, parents are encouraged to:

visit their preferred school
carefully consider each school’s admissions criteria
consider how their child will get to and from school
use all six preferences on their application

Councillor Tony Ball, Cabinet Member for Education Excellence, Lifelong Learning and Employability at Essex County Council, said: “There are only a few days left before the deadline to apply for secondary school places for September 2026. I urge parents and carers of Year 6 pupils to do so if they haven’t already.

“We’re keen to maintain our excellent record of securing preferred places for Year 7 pupils in Essex, but we can only do this if parents complete their child’s secondary school place application correctly and by the deadline.”