Secondary School Admissions

Transferring from primary to secondary school is an important and exciting step in your child’s education. Children usually start secondary school at the start of September following their eleventh birthday.

Children born between 1 September 2012 and 31 August 2013 will start secondary school from September 2024. Parents need to apply for a Year 7 place by 31 October 2023.

Children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) must also apply by 31 October 2023.

You are strongly advised to apply to four local schools including your nearest or catchment area school. You can use our Catchment Area School Finder Tool to check which school are your nearest or catchment area schools.

Please read the Guide to Secondary School Admissions booklet for information on school open days and evenings, the process of applying for a secondary school place and to understand how places are offered.

Guide to Secondary School Admissions booklet

Getting to school

Before you apply you should consider how your child will get to and from school. Most children attend a local secondary school, however, if you prefer a school further away you will need to make arrangements for them to travel to and from school. Telford and Wrekin no longer provide transport for children attending a faith school.

Your child may be eligible for travel assistance if, for example, they attend their nearest secondary school and it is more than three miles from their home. Visit the school travel assistance website.

How to apply

To apply for a secondary school place you will need to complete and submit an online application form using the link below.

If you want to apply for a place at one of the selective grammar schools in Telford and Wrekin, Haberdashers’ Adams (boys) or Newport Girls High School, you will need to register for the entrance test by 30 June 2023 as well as listing the school on your online application. The test will be held on 18 September 2023.

To apply for a place at Thomas Telford School, you will need to apply to the school directly by 25 September 2023. You should not list this school on your online application.

Applicants to Madeley Academy will be invited to attend a non-verbal reasoning assessment in November 2023.

If you are applying to Holy Trinity Academy or any other faith schools you may also need to complete a ‘supplementary information form’. These will be available on the school’s website and should be returned to the school(s) directly as well as listing the school(s) on your online application form.

Visit our School Admissions Portal to apply for a school place

Application outcomes

Parents who apply before the closing date will receive an email with the outcome of their application on Secondary National Offer Day – 1 March 2024.

Late applications will be considered after National Offer Day and after all on-time applications have been considered.

Parents of children with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) will receive their final plan with a named secondary school by 15 February 2024.

Waiting lists and appeals

If your child is not offered a place at your most preferred school, you can request for your child to be added to the waiting list. Parents also have the right to appeal the decision not to offer a place at any of the schools they apply to. Further information on waiting list and appeals will be provided in your application outcome.

Last updated: 09/10/2023 08:29