2 November 2026

Online system opens for you to apply online.

Nov / Dec 2026

Open events at schools. 

Find individual school details in the schools directory.

15 January 2027

Deadline to apply for a school place.

1 February 2027

Last date to submit a written explanation giving reasons why your application was late, for your application to be agreed as ‘on time’.

If you move house, this is the last date for you to provide evidence of your new address and for it to be considered ‘on time’ in the allocation process.

1 March 2027

Applications received after this date will not be offered a school place until the week commencing 14 June 2027.

16 April 2027

National allocation day

We will email you the school you've been allocated, if you applied online and confirmed your email address. The online allocation system will be updated with allocations and be available only after allocation emails have been sent.

If you applied on paper, we will send you a notification letter and response form by first class post.

If you applied online, you can use online facilities including appeals and continuing interest.

16 – 23 April 2027

Continuing interest applications open.

You can add new school preferences for some Hertfordshire schools for the first continuing interest run. Information will be available online on 16 April 2027.

17 – 23 April 2027

Continuing interest lists are created.

Applicants with unmet higher preferences will automatically go on the list for those schools.

Parents or carers should confirm this with schools responsible for their own admissions.

23 April 2027

Last date for accepting the place offered.

Online applicants must accept the place online.

Paper applicants should return their response form to the Admissions and Transport team.

10 – 14 May 2027

First continuing interest run.

We'll contact you with an offer of a new school place, if you're successful at the first continuing interest run.

17 May 2027 (4pm)

Last date to register an appeal.

17 – 21 May 2027

Continuing interest applications open for the second run.

You can add new preferences for any school for the second continuing interest run.

21 May 2027

Last date to register a change of preferences or for new applications to be added for the second continuing interest run.

14 – 18 June 2027

Second (and final) continuing interest run.

We'll contact you with an offer of a new school place, if you're successful at the second continuing interest run.

June – July 2027

If school vacancies occur, places will be filled from remaining continuing interest lists.

10 June – 19 July 2027

School admission appeals take place during this period.

28 June 2027

Continuing interest lists (waiting lists) for junior and middle schools close on 24 June 2027.

To retain your continuing interest for a Hertfordshire junior or middle school, you will need to make an in year application from 28 June 2027.

23 July 2027

Continuing interest lists (waiting lists) for primary schools close on 22 July 2027.

To retain your continuing interest for a Hertfordshire primary school, you'll need to make an in year application from 23 July 2027.