Secondary school applications for September 2026
The final round of secondary school applications closed on 9 July 2026. If you applied during the fifth round, we will process your application during the week commencing 13 July 2026. We will post you a letter with the school place offer via Royal Mail second class post.
If you haven’t yet applied for a secondary school place for September 2026, you will now need to make an in-year application. Your child may have a later start date because of this.
The six webpages in this section explain the secondary school admissions process from start to finish. This information is designed to help you choose a school for your child and make an application. Please read it carefully before applying so you understand what is involved in the process.
Overview of the typical steps to applying for a school place
- You undertake research into local schools
- You choose your top three preferred schools
- You apply for a school place
- The relevant council processes your application (see below for which council)
- You receive a school place offer
- You decide whether to accept or decline the offer
Who co-ordinates school admissions in Peterborough
Peterborough City Council is the local education authority for Peterborough. We are responsible for co-ordinating the admissions arrangements for schools in the city. You apply to us, we process the applications, liaise with the schools and send you your school place offer.
Which council you apply to depends on where you live
- If you are a Peterborough resident and wish to apply for a place at a Peterborough school – apply to Peterborough City Council
- If you are a Peterborough resident and wish to apply for a place at a school in another council area – apply to Peterborough City Council as you are a Peterborough resident, and we will share your application with the relevant council
- If you live outside of Peterborough and wish to apply for a place at a Peterborough school – apply to the council for the area where you live – they will then share your application with us at Peterborough City Council
- If you live overseas, but are moving to Peterborough and wish to apply for a place at a Peterborough school – apply to Peterborough City Council
Check who your local council is on the GOV.UK website.
Please note we do not co-ordinate admissions for private / independent / fee-paying schools. You must contact them directly to apply for a place.
When you can apply - key dates in the school admissions cycle
Applications for secondary school places launched on 12 September 2025.
The deadline to apply during round one was 31 October 2025. The second round of applications is open between 1 November 2025 and 31 March 2026.
If your application is late, your child is less likely to receive a place at their preferred school.
Who can apply for a secondary school place
You can apply for a:
- Year 7 place for September 2026 for a child born between 1 September 2014 and 31 August 2015
- Year 9 place for September 2026 - Peterborough doesn’t have any middle or upper schools. If your child lives in Peterborough you can apply for schools outside of Peterborough. If your child is currently in middle school (Year 8), they can transfer to upper school (Year 9) in September 2026. This will be a child born between 1 September 2012 and 31 August 2013.
You will need to make an in-year application if:
- Your child is already attending secondary school, and you want to move them to a different school during the same academic year