North Yorkshire Schools and Admissions: Primary, Secondary and Key Dates

Why we do not list individual schools

With hundreds of primary and secondary schools in the county, a short list in a guide like this would be selective, and we do not rank or recommend schools. We point you to the official finders instead, and then explain how the application process works. North Yorkshire Council's school admissions pages are the starting point for places in community, voluntary controlled, academy and other schools within the council's coordinated system.

How do I find schools near me?

The council's finding a school page says you can search the government's directory of educational establishments within North Yorkshire (the Get Information About Schools service), and that it has interactive maps and a nearest school finder. The page gives advice for choosing: visit schools or go to open days, read the school's website and prospectus, check Ofsted reports on the Ofsted website by postcode, town or area, and read a school's SEND information report if your child has special educational needs.

The government's school performance tables let you compare exam results, Ofsted reports and financial information for schools in England.

Two things matter. First, your catchment school for admissions may differ from your "nearest suitable school" for transport purposes. The council says its nearest school finder is updated yearly and that mapping updates take place on Friday 11 September 2026, so recheck when applying after that date. Second, if you live near a boundary the nearest school for transport may be outside North Yorkshire.

Secondary school: applying for September 2027

The council's secondary admissions page gives these key dates for children born between 1 September 2015 and 31 August 2016:

• the application round opened on 12 September 2026
• the closing date for online and paper applications is 31 October 2026
• the last date for changes before offers is 30 November 2026
• National Offer Day is 1 March 2027
• the deadline to appeal is 12 April 2027, with bulk appeal hearings from April to July 2027
• waiting lists end on 31 December 2027

Primary and junior school: applying for September 2027

The primary and junior page says the round opens on 12 October 2026 for children born between 1 September 2022 and 31 August 2023 (Reception 2027) and between 1 September 2019 and 31 August 2020 (infant to junior transfer 2027). Dates:

• the closing date is 15 January 2027
• the last date to change an application or submit a late application is 19 February 2027
• National Offer Day is 16 April 2027
• the last date to submit an appeal is 17 May 2027, with hearings in June and July 2027
• waiting lists end on 31 December 2027

Apply online through the council's admissions portal. Late applications are considered after offer day.

School transport

The council's school transport page says it provides free school transport to the nearest school to your home if it is over the statutory walking distances (two miles if your child is under eight, three miles if eight or older). After offer day it automatically assesses eligibility, so you do not need to apply; it emails you in May for secondary starters and June for primary or junior starters. The council notes it is reviewing its home to school travel policy.

Selective schools and appeals

The council has a page on selective schools with entrance tests, and a parents' guide to admission appeals. Admission policies and previous year statistics are published on its policies and statistics page.

School closures

On snowy or emergency days the council's school closures page explains that the best source is the school itself, and that headteachers tell local radio stations to broadcast closures. The page lists any current closures.