When to apply for a secondary school place

If you are a parent or carer of a child living in West Northamptonshire at the time of your application you can apply for a secondary school place at the following times:

Secondary school - year 7 intake

You should apply for a place at a secondary school if your child lives in West Northamptonshire and has their 11th birthday between 1 September 2023 and 31 August 2024 (year 6 in primary school).

The opening date for applications is 8 September 2023 and the closing date is on 31 October 2023. After this deadline you will need to make a late application.

Upper school - year 9 or 10 intake

There are no longer any upper schools in West Northamptonshire. However, your child may be living in West Northamptonshire and be attending a middle school in another county. If this is the case, you should apply for an upper school place outside of West Northamptonshire for your child if they are in their last year (year 8 or 9) at a middle school outside of West Northamptonshire.

The opening date for applications is 8 September 2023 and the closing date is 31 October 2023. After this deadline you will need to make a late application.

University Technical College (UTC) - year 10 intake

West Northamptonshire has one UTC - Silverstone UTC. Applications must be made directly to the UTC, and no longer through the council. If you wish to apply for a place at a UTC outside of West Northamptonshire please check how to make an application with the school directly.

How to apply

Applying for a school place outside the normal transfer times

Any applications to move schools outside of these normal transfer times will be processed as in-year applications.

Please note that we do not allocate an in-year school place more than a month in advance of the date the place is required.

Therefore, applications from children wanting a year 9 place at a secondary school (rather than an upper school) will be considered as in-year applications and will not be processed until the summer term.

Parents will be informed in writing if a place is available in their preferred school.

See Apply for a secondary school place for admission arrangements and the application process.

Special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)

If your child has an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan or a Statement of Special Educational Needs, there are different procedures for obtaining a school place. Please see admissions arrangements for children with SEND.

Living outside of West Northamptonshire

If you live outside of West Northamptonshire, you will need to make an application through the local authority for the area in which you live.

Last updated 12 February 2024