Offers and next steps

National Offer Day: offers, waiting lists and appeals

By ExamKind Editorial TeamLast reviewed 11 October 2026

In short

Councils send secondary school offers on National Offer DayThe day councils in England tell families which secondary school place they are offered. It is 1 March, or the next working day if 1 March is at a weekend or on a bank holiday.: 1 March (or the next working day if 1 March is a weekend or bank holiday)National Offer DayChecked 9 Oct 2026 against GOV.UK.The source says: If either date falls on a weekend or a bank holiday, offers are sent the next working day.View the official source. Whatever you are offered, accept it while you decide what to do next. Accepting does not affect a waiting-list place or an appeal. A waiting list is not a queue: it is ranked by the school's admission rules, not by the date you joined.

What to do next: find your situation

Pick the line that matches your offer. Each step says what you can do and by when.

Before offers: your selection reviewIn some areas, a panel can look again at a child’s test result after results day, with evidence from their school. If the panel agrees, the child is treated as qualified. You must ask by a set date. outcome
Only in areas that run a review before offers.
- Buckinghamshire: review outcomes sent 12 February 2027Buckinghamshire: review outcomes sentChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Buckinghamshire Council.The source says: we will tell you the outcome on 12 February 2027, once all cases have been heard.View the official source
1. If the review panel decided your child is of grammar school standard, your child counts as qualified when places are given out.
2. If it did not, you can still appeal for a grammar school place after offers. The appeal panel first checks the panel first checks only whether the review was carried out in a fair, consistent and objective wayAppeals after a local reviewChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: where a local review process has been followed, the panel must only consider whether each child’s review was carried out in a fair, consistent and objective wayView the official source.
You were offered your first-choice school
The school you ranked highest.
1. Accept the offer you have. Accepting it does not affect a waiting-list place or an appeal for another school.
You were offered a school, but not the one you wanted most
You may still have options for schools you ranked higher.
1. Accept the offer you have. Accepting it does not affect a waiting-list place or an appeal for another school.
2. Ask to join the waiting listA list a school keeps of children who were not offered a place. It is in the order of the admission rules, not the date you joined. Some councils ask you to confirm your “continuing interest” to stay on it. for each school you prefer. Lists are kept until at least 31 December of the year of admissionWaiting lists are kept untilChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: Each admission authority must maintain a clear, fair, and objective waiting list until at least 31 December of each school year of admission,View the official source.
3. You can appealIf a school refuses your child a place, you have a legal right to appeal. An independent panel hears your case and can decide that the school must offer a place. In England you have at least 20 school days to send an appeal. to an independent panel for each school that refused a place. The deadline is the date in your refusal letter (you get at least 20 school daysTime to lodge an appealChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: includes a deadline for lodging appeals which allows appellants at least 20 school days from the date of notification that their application was unsuccessful to prepare and lodge their written appeal;View the official source).
4. If you think the council or school made a mistake with your application, such as using the wrong address, you can make a complaintA complaint is about how an admission or an appeal was handled, not about the decision itself. For academies it goes to the Department for Education. For other schools it goes to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.. A complaint does not pause the appeal deadline, so appeal on time as well.
You were not offered any school you listed
This can happen when every school you listed is full.
1. The council must still offer a place: the council must offer a place at another school, usually the nearest school with places leftIf no listed school can offer a placeChecked 9 Oct 2026 against GOV.UK.The source says: The local council must provide a place at another school, if your child is not offered a place at any of the schools you’ve applied for. This is usually your nearest school with places still available.View the official source.
2. Accept the offer you have. Accepting it does not affect a waiting-list place or an appeal for another school.
3. Ask to join the waiting listA list a school keeps of children who were not offered a place. It is in the order of the admission rules, not the date you joined. Some councils ask you to confirm your “continuing interest” to stay on it. for each school you prefer. Lists are kept until at least 31 December of the year of admissionWaiting lists are kept untilChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: Each admission authority must maintain a clear, fair, and objective waiting list until at least 31 December of each school year of admission,View the official source.
4. You can appealIf a school refuses your child a place, you have a legal right to appeal. An independent panel hears your case and can decide that the school must offer a place. In England you have at least 20 school days to send an appeal. to an independent panel for each school that refused a place. The deadline is the date in your refusal letter (you get at least 20 school daysTime to lodge an appealChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: includes a deadline for lodging appeals which allows appellants at least 20 school days from the date of notification that their application was unsuccessful to prepare and lodge their written appeal;View the official source).
5. If you think the council or school made a mistake with your application, such as using the wrong address, you can make a complaintA complaint is about how an admission or an appeal was handled, not about the decision itself. For academies it goes to the Department for Education. For other schools it goes to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.. A complaint does not pause the appeal deadline, so appeal on time as well.

Waiting lists: not a queue

A waiting list is not a queue. Children on it are ranked by the school's admission rules (its oversubscription criteriaThe rules a school uses, in order, to decide who gets a place when more children apply than there are places. For example: children in care first, then brothers and sisters of pupils, then distance from home.), the same rules used for offers. The date you joined does not count.

When a place comes up, it goes to the child at the top of the list at that moment. Your position can go up or down as other families join or leave, so a number on its own tells you little.

You can be on waiting lists for schools you ranked higher while you hold another offer.

Schools keep their waiting lists until at least 31 December of the year of admissionWaiting lists are kept untilChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: Each admission authority must maintain a clear, fair, and objective waiting list until at least 31 December of each school year of admission,View the official source. Some councils set their own date to ask to join, listed by area below where we have checked it.

Offer Day dates and deadlines by area

Each school's admission authorityThe organisation that sets a school’s admission rules and decides who is offered a place. For academies and most grammar schools, this is the school’s trust or governing board. For community schools, it is the council. sets its own appeal deadline, so always check your refusal letter. These are the dates we have checked for each 11+ area.

Barnet (2027 entry)
Offers:
1 March 2027Barnet: offersChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Queen Elizabeth's School, Barnet.The source says: 1st March 2027 ... National Offer Day ... Your home local authority will confirm whether you have been offered a place.View the official source
Reply by:
Not published yet
Appeal deadline:
Not published yet
Bexley (2027 entry)
Offers:
1 March 2027Bexley: offersChecked 9 Oct 2026 against London Borough of Bexley.The source says: if you applied online, you will receive an email with the school offered in the evening of Monday 1 March 2027View the official source
Reply by:
Not published yet
Appeal deadline:
13 April 2027, 4pmBexley: appeal deadlineChecked 9 Oct 2026 against London Borough of Bexley.The source says: | 4pm on 13 April 2027: | Deadline for lodging Appeals against a decision not to offer a place at your preferred school. |View the official source
Birmingham (2027 entry)
Offers:
1 March 2027Birmingham: offersChecked 9 Oct 2026 against King Edward VI Foundation Birmingham.The source says: For 2027 entry, offers will be made by your Local Authority on 1 March 2027.View the official source
Reply by:
Not published yet
Appeal deadline:
Not published yet
Bournemouth and Poole (BCP) (2027 entry)
Offers:
Monday 1 March 2027Bournemouth and Poole (BCP): offersChecked 9 Oct 2026 against BCP Council.The source says: on 1 March 2027 if you apply on time (before 31 October 2026)View the official source
Reply by:
Not published yet
Appeal deadline:
Not published yet
Bromley (2027 entry)
Offers:
1 March 2027Bromley: offersChecked 9 Oct 2026 against London Borough of Bromley.The source says: The national offer date for on-time secondary applications is 1 March 2027View the official source
Reply by:
Not published yet
Appeal deadline:
Not published yet
Buckinghamshire (2027 entry)
Offers:
1 March 2027Buckinghamshire: offersChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Buckinghamshire Council.The source says: 1 March 2027 National school offer dayView the official source
Reply by:
Not published yet
Appeal deadline:
near the end of March 2027Buckinghamshire: appeal deadlineChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Buckinghamshire Council.The source says: The deadline to lodge a timely appeal will be near the end of MarchView the official source
Calderdale (2027 entry)
Offers:
1 March 2027Calderdale: offersChecked 10 Oct 2026 against The Crossley Heath School.The source says: The LA will distribute the formal offer of a place on 1 March 2027.View the official source
Reply by:
Not published yet
Appeal deadline:
Not published yet
Cumbria (2027 entry)
Offers:
1 March 2027Cumbria: offersChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Westmorland and Furness Council.The source says: On 1 March 2027 we will send you an email in the morning (if you applied online) or post a letter to the address you have given us (if you have used a paper form).View the official source
Reply by:
Not published yet
Appeal deadline:
Not published yet
Devon (2027 entry)
Offers:
Monday 1 March 2027Devon: offersChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Devon County Council.The source says: For September 2027 secondary school starters this will be on 1 March 2027.View the official source
Reply by:
Not published yet
Appeal deadline:
Not published yet
Enfield (2028 entry)
Offers:
Not published yet
Reply by:
Not published yet
Appeal deadline:
Not published yet
Essex and Southend (CSSE) (2027 entry)
Offers:
Monday 1 March 2027Essex and Southend (CSSE): offersChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Southend-on-Sea City Council.The source says: National Offer Day, when all that have applied receive the outcome for their application is 1 March 2027.View the official source
Reply by:
Not published yet
Appeal deadline:
Tuesday 13 April 2027Essex and Southend (CSSE): appeal deadlineChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Southend-on-Sea City Council.The source says: 13 April 2027 Closing date for 'on time' admission appeals to be submitted to schools.View the official source
Gloucestershire (2027 entry)
Offers:
Monday 1 March 2027Gloucestershire: offersChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Gloucestershire grammar schools (G7), hosted by Sir Thomas Rich's School.The source says: 1 March 2027 – national allocation day / appeals process opensView the official source
Reply by:
Not published yet
Ask to join waiting lists by:
Monday 15 March 2027Gloucestershire: waiting list request deadlineChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Gloucestershire grammar schools (G7), hosted by Sir Thomas Rich's School.The source says: (for Gloucestershire this is 15 March)View the official source
Appeal deadline:
mid-AprilGloucestershire: appeal deadlineChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Gloucestershire grammar schools (G7), hosted by Sir Thomas Rich's School.The source says: Panel hearings take place between May and July and need to be lodged by mid-April with the relevant schools.View the official source
Kent (2027 entry)
Offers:
Monday 1 March 2027 (by email after 4pm)Kent: offersChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Borden Grammar School.The source says: Monday 1st March 2027 Offers of school places sent to parents via email after 4pm.View the official source
Reply by:
15 March 2027Kent: reply byChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Borden Grammar School.The source says: Monday 15 March 2027 Parents should contact the school to accept/refuse the place that has been offeredView the official source
Appeal deadline:
13 April 2027Kent: appeal deadlineChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Borden Grammar School.The source says: Tuesday 13 April 2027 Appeals need to be lodged by this date to be heard before SeptemberView the official source
Kingston upon Thames (2027 entry)
Offers:
1 March 2027, 5pmKingston upon Thames: offersChecked 9 Oct 2026 against The Tiffin Girls' School.The source says: Your local authority will email an offer for a secondary school place after 5.00pm on 1 March 2027, National Offer Day.View the official source
Reply by:
Not published yet
Appeal deadline:
Not published yet
Kirklees (2027 entry)
Offers:
1 March 2027Kirklees: offersChecked 10 Oct 2026 against Heckmondwike Grammar School.The source says: Usual date for formal offer of places by LA (date to be confirmed by LA).View the official source
Reply by:
Not published yet
Appeal deadline:
Not published yet
Lancashire (2027 entry)
Offers:
1 March 2027Lancashire: offersChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Lancashire County Council.The source says: Monday 1 March 2027 - Offers issued to parentsView the official source
Reply by:
Not published yet
Appeal deadline:
14 April 2027Lancashire: appeal deadlineChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Lancashire County Council.The source says: Wednesday 14 April 2027 | Appeal deadline for Lancashire schools.View the official source
Lincolnshire (2027 entry)
Offers:
1 March 2027Lincolnshire: offersChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Lincolnshire Consortium of Grammar Schools.The source says: | Mon 01 March 2027 | Allocation of places by the Local Authority (National Offer Day) |View the official source
Reply by:
Not published yet
Appeal deadline:
Not published yet
Medway (2027 entry)
Offers:
1 March 2027Medway: offersChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Medway Council.The source says: Monday 1 March 2027 | Offers sent to parents and carers.View the official source
Reply by:
12 March 2027Medway: reply byChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Medway Council.The source says: Friday 12 March 2027 | Deadline for accepting/refusing offers and waiting requests.View the official source
Appeal deadline:
13 April 2027Medway: appeal deadlineChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Medway Council.The source says: Tuesday 13 April 2027 | Deadline for on-time appeal requestsView the official source
North Yorkshire (2027 entry)
Offers:
1 March 2027North Yorkshire: offersChecked 10 Oct 2026 against North Yorkshire Council.The source says: 1 March 2027 is National Offer Day for secondary school.View the official source
Reply by:
Not published yet
Appeal deadline:
12 April 2027North Yorkshire: appeal deadlineChecked 10 Oct 2026 against North Yorkshire Council.The source says: If you want to appeal for a secondary school place, you need to submit your appeal by 12 April 2027.View the official source
Plymouth (2027 entry)
Offers:
Not published yet
Reply by:
Not published yet
Appeal deadline:
Not published yet
Reading (2027 entry)
Offers:
Monday 1 March 2027Reading: offersChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Kendrick School.The source says: They will be informed by the home LA, [...] on the national offer date, 1 March 2027.View the official source
Reply by:
Not published yet
Appeal deadline:
Not published yet
Redbridge (2027 entry)
Offers:
1 March 2027Redbridge: offersChecked 9 Oct 2026 against London Borough of Redbridge.The source says: 1.5 Parents will be notified of the outcome of applications on National Offer Day, which is on or about 1 March 2027.View the official source
Reply by:
Not published yet
Appeal deadline:
2 April 2027Redbridge: appeal deadlineChecked 9 Oct 2026 against London Borough of Redbridge.The source says: For places starting in September 2027, the deadline to submit an appeal for Year 7 is Friday 2 April and reception is Friday 14 May 2027.View the official source
Slough (2027 entry)
Offers:
Monday 1 March 2027Slough: offersChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Upton Court Grammar School.The source says: National allocation day 2027 – parents notified of Monday 1st March 2027View the official source
Reply by:
Not published yet
Appeal deadline:
Friday 26 March 2027Slough: appeal deadlineChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Slough Borough Council.The source says: 26 March 2027 | Deadline for submitting an appeal for a Year 7 placeView the official source
South West Herts (2027 entry)
Offers:
Monday 1 March 2027South West Herts: offersChecked 13 Oct 2026 against Croxley Danes School.The source says: Offers will be communicated to parents on national offer day, 1st March 2027.View the official source
Reply by:
Not published yet
Appeal deadline:
Not published yet
Sutton SET (2027 entry)
Offers:
1 March 2027Sutton SET: offersChecked 9 Oct 2026 against London Borough of Sutton.The source says: National offer day will be on 1 March 2027.View the official source
Reply by:
Not published yet
Appeal deadline:
Not published yet
Telford and Wrekin (2027 entry)
Offers:
1 March 2027Telford and Wrekin: offersChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Newport Girls' High School.The source says: | National Offers Day | Monday 1 March 2027 |View the official source
Reply by:
Not published yet
Appeal deadline:
Not published yet
Torbay (2027 entry)
Offers:
Monday 1 March 2027Torbay: offersChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Torbay Council.The source says: 1 March 2027 | National Allocation Day.View the official source
Reply by:
Not published yet
Appeal deadline:
Monday 5 April 2027Torbay: appeal deadlineChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Torbay Council.The source says: 5 April 2027 | Closing date for receipt of 1st round appeals to be included in the main body of appeal hearingsView the official source
Trafford (2027 entry)
Offers:
1 March 2027Trafford: offersChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Altrincham Grammar School for Girls.The source says: All parents will be notified by their Home Authority of the outcome of their application on National Allocation Day which is the 1 March 2027.View the official source
Reply by:
Not published yet
Appeal deadline:
Not published yet
Walsall (2027 entry)
Offers:
1 March 2027Walsall: offersChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Queen Mary's Grammar School.The source says: | National Offers Day | 01/03/2027 (or next working day) |View the official source
Reply by:
Not published yet
Appeal deadline:
Not published yet
Warwickshire (2027 entry)
Offers:
1 March 2027Warwickshire: offersChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Warwickshire County Council.The source says: | 1 March 2027 | National Offer Day |View the official source
Reply by:
Not published yet
Appeal deadline:
Not published yet
West Midlands (2027 entry)
Offers:
Not published yet
Reply by:
Not published yet
Appeal deadline:
Not published yet
Wiltshire (2027 entry)
Offers:
Monday 1 March 2027Wiltshire: offersChecked 9 Oct 2026 against South Wilts Grammar School.The source says: For 2027 entry this will be Monday 1 March 2027View the official source
Reply by:
Not published yet
Appeal deadline:
Not published yet
Wirral (2027 entry)
Offers:
1 March 2027Wirral: offersChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Wirral Council.The source says: 1 March 2027 Email offers are sent to online applicants.View the official source
Reply by:
Not published yet
Appeal deadline:
End of March 2027 (exact date to be confirmed)Wirral: appeal deadlineChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Wirral Council.The source says: End of March 2027 (exact date to be confirmed) Appeals to be submitted by this date.View the official source

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What to do next: find your situation

Before offers: your selection reviewOpens a short explanationCloseselection reviewIn some areas, a panel can look again at a child’s test result after results day, with evidence from their school. If the panel agrees, the child is treated as qualified. You must ask by a set date. outcome

You were offered your first-choice school

You were offered a school, but not the one you wanted most

You were not offered any school you listed

Waiting lists: not a queue

Offer Day dates and deadlines by area

Barnet (2027 entry)

Bexley (2027 entry)

Birmingham (2027 entry)

Bournemouth and Poole (BCP) (2027 entry)

Bromley (2027 entry)

Buckinghamshire (2027 entry)

Calderdale (2027 entry)

Cumbria (2027 entry)

Devon (2027 entry)

Enfield (2028 entry)

Essex and Southend (CSSE) (2027 entry)

Gloucestershire (2027 entry)

Kent (2027 entry)

Kingston upon Thames (2027 entry)

Kirklees (2027 entry)

Lancashire (2027 entry)

Lincolnshire (2027 entry)

Medway (2027 entry)

North Yorkshire (2027 entry)

Plymouth (2027 entry)

Reading (2027 entry)

Redbridge (2027 entry)

Slough (2027 entry)

South West Herts (2027 entry)

Sutton SET (2027 entry)

Telford and Wrekin (2027 entry)

Torbay (2027 entry)

Trafford (2027 entry)

Walsall (2027 entry)

Warwickshire (2027 entry)

West Midlands (2027 entry)

Wiltshire (2027 entry)

Wirral (2027 entry)

Before offers: your selection reviewIn some areas, a panel can look again at a child’s test result after results day, with evidence from their school. If the panel agrees, the child is treated as qualified. You must ask by a set date. outcome