Secondary Year of Entry - September 2026 (Year 7)

How to apply for a place at a secondary school.

Apply for September 2026 - Secondary School

Children in Year 6 due to start Secondary School in September 2026 can apply now.

Further information can also be found in:

 2026-27 Secondary Booklet

It is important to apply on time as a number of schools will be full next September.

Open Evenings and Transition Dates

The dates of each schools open evenings and transition days:

Admission in September 2026 - Open Evenings and Transition Dates-1
Download (16KB - PDF)

Key Dates

  • National closing date for applications is 31 October 2025
  • Late applications can be made and will be considered after national offer day.
  • National Offer Date is 2 March 2026
  • Decisions will be emailed to the application email account and are also available by logging into your account on the parent portal.

Once an offer is received families will be contacted by Schools directly regarding the admissions arrangements.

You are encouraged to include your catchment area school as one of your preferences even if this is not your first choice. 

APPLY NOW FOR YEAR 7 FOR SEPTEMBER 2026

Changes of preference 

If you have already applied for your secondary school place in September 2026 but now want to make a change to your preferences please use the form below:

You can only use this form if you have already submitted your secondary school application. 

Change of Preference Form

 

Guidance on Admissions for Overseas Nationals Entering the UK
Before applying for a school place you should check that you have a right of abode or that the conditions of your immigration status otherwise permit you to access a state-funded school. 

Faith Schools

You should also be aware that we have two faith schools in Doncaster (Catholic and Church of England) which you are able to apply for.  All schools are listed for selection within the application process online.

  • Rossington All Saints Academy
  • The McAuley Catholic High School

Please note priority for places at these schools may be given to those who live in a parish rather than a catchment area.

The Additional Information Form should also be completed when applying for a faith school. 

Additional Information Form - C of E-2
Download (148KB - PDF)
McAuley Catholic High School - Additional Information Form - 2026-27

XP School & XP East

To ensure a balanced intake of students across all ability levels, all applicants to an XP secondary school must sit a Fair Banding Assessment.

This multiple-choice test focuses on non-verbal reasoning and helps the school place students into one of five ability bands. There is no pass or fail, and results are used solely to support a broad and representative admissions process.

Completing the assessment is a key part of the application and must be done to be considered for a place. Find out more here: XP Fair Banding Assessment

 

Other Links 

 

 

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Last updated: 25 September 2025 13:32:07

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