Secondary school applications 2027: what Herts and London parents need to do before 31 October
If your child is in Year 6, this is the month that matters. Applications for secondary school places starting in September 2027 close on Saturday 31 October 2026, and applying on time really does make a difference. Here’s a calm, clear guide to secondary school applications for families in Hertfordshire and London.
First things first: apply to your own council
You apply through the council where you live, even if the school you like is over the border. So a family in Cheshunt applying to a school in Enfield still applies through Hertfordshire, and a family in Barnet applying to a Herts school applies through Barnet.
If you live in Hertfordshire
Applications opened on 1 September, and the easiest way to apply is the online form at hertfordshire.gov.uk/admissions. Applying online also lets you see and accept your offer before any letter arrives.
How many schools? You can list up to four schools in order of preference, which the council calls “ranking” your schools.
Key dates for Hertfordshire
- 31 October 2026: deadline for on-time applications
- 1 December 2026: last date to send a written explanation if your application was late, for it to be treated as on time
- 1 March 2027: offer day. You’ll get an email if you applied online, or you can log in to check.
The good news: last year, over 94 per cent of children in Hertfordshire were given one of their four ranked schools.
If you live in London
London boroughs share one system, at eadmissions.org.uk. You fill in one form and can apply for up to six schools anywhere in London (not including fee-paying schools).
How the ranking works: list your schools with your favourite first. All preferences are considered equally, and schools don’t see where you’ve ranked them. So put them in the order you genuinely prefer, rather than trying to be tactical.
Key dates for London
- Saturday 31 October 2026: closing date for on-time applications
- Monday 1 March 2027: National Offer Day
- Monday 15 March 2027: last date to respond to your offer
You can log back in to change your preferences right up until 11.59pm on the closing date, and you’ll get a confirmation email with a reference number once you submit.
Five tips before you press submit
- Use every preference. Listing only one or two schools doesn’t boost your chances at them, and it can leave you with fewer options.
- Include a realistic local school. If you don’t get any of your preferences, Hertfordshire usually allocates the nearest suitable school with places left. It’s better to choose one you’re happy with yourself.
- Read each school’s admission rules. Distance, siblings, faith and aptitude criteria all vary, and they decide who gets a place when a school is oversubscribed.
- Check for extra forms. Faith schools and some others ask for a supplementary form, sent directly to the school. Check each school’s website and get them in by the same deadline.
- Don’t leave it to the last evening. Submit a few days early, save your confirmation email, and double-check everything is showing as submitted.
And if you have a little one starting school
Reception applications are next. In Hertfordshire, applications for primary, junior and middle schools open on 2 November 2026 and close on 15 January 2027.
Whatever happens on 1 March, you’ve got this. And if it doesn’t go the way you hoped, there are waiting lists and appeals, and we’ll cover both nearer the time.
Looking for something to do this half term? Take a look at our What’s On guide for family days out across Hertfordshire and London.
