1 September 2026

Online system opened for you to apply online.

Sept / Oct 2026

Open events at schools. 

Find individual school details in the schools directory.

31 October 2026

Deadline to apply for a school place.

1 December 2026

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.

29 January 2027

Applications received after this date will not be offered a school place until the week of
26 – 30 April 2027.

1 March 2027

National allocation day

We will email you the school you've been allocated, if you applied online.

The online allocation system will be updated with allocations and be made 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 opting out, making a new application and submitting an appeal.

1 – 8 March 2027

Continuing interest lists are created.

Applicants that didn't get any higher preference schools will automatically go on the list for those schools.

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

1 – 8 March 2027

Continuing interest applications open.

You can add new preferences for some Hertfordshire schools for the first continuing interest run. Information will be available online from 1 March 2027.

8 March 2027

Last date to accept the place offered.

Online applicants should accept the place online.

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

22 – 26 March 2027

First continuing interest run.

We'll contact you with an offer of a new school place, if you're successful.

12 April 2027 (4pm)

Deadline to submit an appeal.

29 March – 9 April 2027

Continuing interest applications open again.

You can add new school preferences for all schools for the second run of continuing interest.

9 April 2027

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

26 – 30 April 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.

29 April – 15 June 2027 (excluding 3 May, 31 May – 4 June 2027)

School admission appeals take place during this period.

May – July 2027

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

28 June 2027

Continuing interest lists (waiting lists) for Year 9 (upper school) and Year 10 (studio school or university technical college) close on 24 June 2027.

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

22 July 2027

Continuing interest lists for secondary schools close on 22 July 2027.

To retain your continuing interest for a Hertfordshire secondary school you will need to make an in year application from 23 July 2027.