If your child is starting secondary school in September 2026, it’s time to apply for their Year 7 place.

Parents and guardians can apply online  to Essex County Council (ECC) until October 31. Applying before the deadline means your child is less likely to get a place at one of your preferred schools.

The cutoff date is a national deadline and applications sent after this date will only be considered after all on-time applications have been determined.

ECC says that when submitting applications, parents and guardians should:

• Visit the preferred school
• Consider each school’s admissions criteria
• Consider how their child will get to and from school
• Use all six preferences on the application

Councillor Tony Ball, ECC’s cabinet member for Education Excellence, Lifelong Learning and Employability, said: “We’re keen to maintain our excellent record of securing preferred places for Year 7 pupils in Essex, but we can only do this if parents complete their child’s secondary school place application correctly and by the deadline.”