Results are in: what to do before the 31 October application deadline

Many families whose children sat an 11+ test in September now have the result. The secondary school application is the step that turns a result into a place, and in most of England it closes on 31 OctoberSource for School place applications close (common application form, CAF)School place applications close (common application form, CAF)CloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against GOV.UK.The source says: You must apply for a secondary school place by 31 October.View the official source. Here is what to do before then.

1. Read the result for what it is

A result is not an offer. Under the national rules, admission authorities must take all reasonable steps to tell you the test outcome before 31 October, and must make clear that the outcome does not by itself mean a selective placeSource for Test results before the application deadlineTest results before the application deadlineCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: take all reasonable steps to inform parents of the outcome of ... selection tests before the closing date for secondary applications on 31 October so as to allow parents time to make an informed choice of school - while making clear that this does not equate to a guarantee of a selective place.View the official source. Places are given later, through your council, and secondary offers arrive on Monday 1 March 2027.

Our guide to reading your results letter explains scores, pass marks and what each kind of letter means.

2. Apply through your own council

You apply through your own local council, even for schools in another council area. That is true even if your child sat a test run by another area or by a single school.

3. Check your council's deadline

The national closing date is 31 OctoberSource for School place applications close (common application form, CAF)School place applications close (common application form, CAF)CloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against GOV.UK.The source says: You must apply for a secondary school place by 31 October.View the official source, but check your own council's date. Kent County Council's online closing date is later: Monday 2 November 2026. If you miss it, your application counts as late, which means it is too late for an offer on National Offer Day. Our late applications guide covers what happens then.

4. List schools in your real order of preference

• By law, schools must not give extra priority because of the order in which you rank themSource for No extra priority for naming a school firstNo extra priority for naming a school firstCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Department for Education (GOV.UK).The source says: give extra priority to children whose parents rank preferred schools in a particular order, including ‘first preference first’ arrangements;View the official source. Put the school your child most wants first, even if the score makes it uncertain.
• Listing only one school does not increase your chances of a place thereSource for Naming only one school gives no advantageNaming only one school gives no advantageCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against GOV.UK.The source says: Listing only one school will not increase your chances of getting a place there.View the official source.
• Include at least one school your child is likely to be offered whatever the result. If no school you name can offer a place, the council must offer a place at another school, usually the nearest school with places leftSource for If none of your schools can offer a placeIf none of your schools can offer a placeCloseChecked 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.

Our guide on how to rank school preferences works through examples.

5. Look after your child, and yourself

A test result is one result on one day. If it is not the one you hoped for, there are still options, from waiting lists to appeals after offer day. Our guide on what to do if your child does not pass sets them out, and keeping perspective has ideas for talking it through at home.

If you are still waiting

Not every result is out yet. Wirral's grammar school assessment results are due to be sent on 21 October 2026Source for Wirral 2027 entry: ResultsWirral 2027 entry: ResultsCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Wirral Council.The source says: 21 October 2026 Non-Catholic grammar school assessment results are sent to parents.View the official source. For the Sutton SET schools, second-stage results are emailed by the end of October, before the application deadline; passing does not mean a placeSource for Sutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET): Stage2 outcomeSutton Selective Eligibility Test (SET): Stage2 outcomeCloseChecked 9 Oct 2026 against Sutton SET Consortium (hosted on Nonsuch High School for Girls website).The source says: The outcome of the second stage entrance examinations will be emailed to parents/carers by ... the end of October (in advance of the deadline for completion of the CAF).View the official source. In Northern Ireland the transfer process runs on a different timetable: applications close at 12 noon, Wednesday 3 March 2027Source for Northern Ireland transfer: Application deadlineNorthern Ireland transfer: Application deadlineCloseChecked 17 Oct 2026 against nidirect (NI Government).The source says: The Post Primary online application procedure closes at 12.00 noon on Wednesday 3 March 2027.View the official source.

Your area

Find your area's dates, results guide and schools from our list of 11+ areas. Area guides, and our recent results news:

• CSSE (Essex and Southend), with our posts on CSSE results and the CSSE standardisation report
• Chelmsford County High School for Girls
• Kent Test and Medway, with our Kent and Medway results post
• Buckinghamshire

Where to find more

• Secondary school applications: how they work
• 11+ results explained
• 11+ key dates
• Applying to a school outside your council area