Secondary school applications open in Leeds for September 2027 - how to apply

Secondary school applications are now open across Leeds for entry in September 2027.

Parents and carers of children due to start Year 7 in September 2027 can now apply for a secondary school place.

Applications can be made online, where you can also find information about different schools, catchment areas, home-to-school transport and admissions arrangements.

To give your child a better chance of getting a place at a school you prefer you should follow these steps. Here’s everything you need to know...

Deadline to apply

If your child was born between September 1, 2015 and August 31, 2016, then you can submit their application online via Leeds City Council’s website.

The deadline is October 31, 2026. If you submit your application after the deadline it could be treated with a lower priority than applications submitted on time.

Submitting a late application

Most Leeds schools will treat any applications submitted by November 28, 2026 as on time.

If you have exceptional reasons why you could not submit your application by this date, you should contact council by email. Not receiving a reminder to apply is not an exceptional reason.

When you will find out

Secondary school offers day is March 1, 2027. If you applied through the online application portal, you will receive an email, during the working day, with your child's offer.

If you applied in any other way, you'll receive an offer letter to your registered home address (a few days after offer day).

Make sure you use the right address

If there is 50/50 shared care arrangement, the parents can agree, in writing, which of their two addresses to use for the application. It will not be possible to change the address to be that of the other parent later in the application process.

Both parents must agree on the application and Leeds City Council cannot resolve disputes between parents, only a family court can do this.

Moving home during the application process

If you're planning on moving home, you should apply using your current address and update your application as soon as you move.

Leeds City Council can only update your address once you've moved into the new property and have sent evidence. If you do not inform them about changes, they may withdraw your school offer.

Moving to Leeds from abroad

If you live outside the UK and are planning to move to Leeds soon, you can apply for a Leeds school place. You must use your international address until your child has arrived in Leeds.

You will not be able to apply online and will need to request a paper application by contacting City Council.

Check if you live in a school's catchment area

Many schools give priority to children who live within their catchment or priority area.

Living in a school's catchment area does not guarantee your child a place at the school, it places your child's application higher up the list of applicants.

Find five schools to apply for

You should apply for five schools to give your child the best chance of getting a place at a school you want.

You'll need to list schools by preference when you apply. Schools do not know what preference you give them on your application. If a place is available at more than one school, we'll offer you the one highest on your list.

Check what chance your child has of getting a place

Each school has its own set of rules that they use to decide which children to offer a place to. This is called their admissions policy. You should read the admissions policy for each of the schools you want to apply for.

This will help you to check what chance your child has of getting a place. Common rules include prioritising children who: have an older sibling at the school and live in the school's catchment area.

Check how your child will travel to the school

You should check that your child will be able to get to the schools that you are applying for. You can check this via school transport on Metro.

Children can get help with transport to their nearest qualifying school, if it’s over the walking distance set out by the law.

Attend school open days or evenings

Open days or evenings give you the opportunity to visit a school to decide whether it's right for your child. You'll be able to speak to teachers and ask any questions you might have.

Most secondary schools run open days and evenings in September and October. Primary schools may run them from September to December.