Deadline approaching for secondary school applications in Suffolk

Time is running out for parents and carers to apply for a secondary school place before the deadline of Saturday 31 October.
Published: 15 Oct 2026

Secondary school applications for children starting Year 7 in September 2027 should be submitted by the end of the month. Applying after the closing date can significantly reduce the chances of securing a place at their preferred school.

Last year, 7,742 on-time applications were received by Suffolk County Council for Year 7 places starting in September 2026. Of those, 92.9% of applicants were offered their first preference school and 97.8% received one of their three preferred schools.

"Parents and carers should submit their application by 31 October 2026 to give their child the best chance of securing a place at one of their preferred schools. Otherwise, it may not be processed until after places have been offered to those who applied on time.” "We also strongly encourage families to consider their choices carefully and recommend that they apply for more than one school."
Tony Gould
Councillor Tony Gould, Suffolk County Council's Cabinet Member for Education and SEND said:

Applications can be made at www.suffolk.gov.uk/admissions, where further guidance is also available.

Families planning to move house before September 2027 should still apply by the closing date using their child's current address. Further information to help parents and carers with this process is available at www.suffolk.gov.uk/admissions.

Parents and carers should apply online as they will receive an acknowledgement that their application has been submitted. If they are unable to apply online, they should complete a paper application (CAF1). Proof of postage is recommended for paper applications as these cannot be acknowledged.

Before making an application, families should also consider how they will get their child to and from school. Children are eligible for Suffolk County Council-funded school travel if they attend their nearest suitable school that would have had a place available and meet the distance criteria. This would be whether or not an application was made for a place at that school. This might not be the catchment area school.

The Nearest School Checker is available at nearestschool.suffolk.gov.uk. Families can find out further information about Suffolk County Council’s School Travel Policy at www.suffolkonboard.com/schooltravel.

Families who apply online will be able to view their offer of a school place on the National Offer Day, Monday 1 March 2027, if they log on to the Online Service. An email confirmation will also be sent on this day. Offer letters will be sent out by second class post on the National Offer Day to parents and carers who completed paper applications.