You can apply for a school place on behalf of your child.

Children move from primary to secondary school in the September following their 11th birthday.

Please note: We cannot process applications where there is a dispute between parents or guardians about the school(s) being applied for.

Year 7 Applications – Stoke-on-Trent Schools

If your child is currently in Year 6 and you live in Stoke-on-Trent, you can apply for a Year 7 place from 1 September 2025 via the Citizen Portal. You should have received a letter with details to support your application.

Click here to apply for a secondary or high school place

You can choose up to five schools. Listing only one does not improve your chances and may result in a place further from home.

If applying to a faith school, send any required documents (e.g. baptism certificate) directly to the school.

All secondary schools in Stoke-on-Trent are comprehensive, meaning they accept students of all abilities and are co-educational (for both boys and girls). The only exception is St. Joseph’s College, which is a selective school and admits students based on academic ability.

Academies in Stoke-on-Trent

Academies are state-funded but independently run schools. The following academies are available in the city:

• Birches Head Academy
• Co-op Academy Stoke-on-Trent
• Co-op Academy Florence MacWilliams
• Haywood Academy
• Ormiston Horizon Academy
• Ormiston Meridian Academy
• Ormiston Sir Stanley Matthews Academy
• St. Joseph’s College (Selective)
• St. Margaret Ward Catholic Academy
• St. Peter’s CofE Academy
• St. Thomas More Catholic Academy
• The Discovery Academy
• The Excel Academy Stoke-on-Trent
• Thistley Hough Academy
• Trentham Academy

Schools Outside Stoke-on-Trent

If you're considering schools in other local authority areas, such as Staffordshire, you’ll need to check their individual admissions policies.

For Staffordshire schools, visit: www.staffordshire.gov.uk/admissions

Before selecting your preferred schools, it’s important to do some research. Our website provides information on how school places were allocated last year. This can help you understand your chances of getting a place.

Here are some key questions to consider:

• Are you genuinely interested in the school?
• How many applications did the school receive last year?
• How many children were on the waiting list?
• Do you already have a child attending the school?
• Is the school usually full?
• How far is the school from your home?

These factors can help you assess how likely it is that your child will be offered a place. However, keep in mind that application patterns can change from year to year.

Applying to Academies, Church, or Foundation Schools

Some schools—such as academies, church schools, and foundation schools—set their own admissions criteria. These schools make their own decisions about who is offered a place.

If you want to apply to one of these schools:

• Include it in your list of preferences.
• Complete any additional sections of the application form required by the school.
• Check the school’s website for details on how they prioritise applications.

If your child is not offered a place, you have the right to appeal the decision.

Please note: No secondary school in Stoke-on-Trent uses a catchment area as part of their admissions criteria.

Looking for a school close to home?

Use our School Finder Tool to search for schools in your area by postcode, address, or school name.

You can view nearby primary, secondary, and special schools.

Start your search now and find the best fit for your child’s education. 

Click here to see our school directory

We manage applications for all local schools, including academies and faith schools.

You must apply through the council, even for schools outside the city.

Each school has a set number of places. If more children apply than there are places, admissions criteria will be used to decide who gets in.

Click here to read our Coordinated Admissions Scheme

Moving between schools with an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP)

If your child has an Education, Health & Care Plan (EHCP) and is due to move to a new stage of education — for example, from primary to secondary school — an annual review meeting will take place in the summer term of the year before the transfer. This meeting ensures that planning and support are in place for a smooth transition.

During this review, you’ll have the opportunity to express a preference for the school you’d like your child to attend.

Your chosen school will be considered if:

• It’s suitable for your child’s age, ability, and special educational needs.
• Their attendance won’t negatively affect the education of other pupils.
• The placement is a good use of the Local Authority’s resources.

If your child has progressed well in a mainstream primary school, it’s generally expected they will continue to do so in a mainstream secondary school.

Once a school is agreed upon, your child’s EHCP will be updated to name the new school.

Our approach to SEND

Our SEN Policy and Inclusion Strategy outlines the principles and priorities that guide our support for children and young people with special educational needs.

Click here to read our SEND Strategy

Need help or have questions?

The SEN Monitoring and Assessment Service (SENMAS) manages the transfer process for children with EHCPs. If you have any questions, please contact the SENMAS Duty Line on 01782 231863.

We take the accuracy of school applications seriously.

If a place is offered based on a fraudulent or intentionally misleading application, it could unfairly prevent another child with a stronger claim from receiving a place. In such cases, the offer will be withdrawn.

This includes situations where the address provided on the application form is not the child’s actual home address.

If an offer is withdrawn due to misleading information:

• The application will be reassessed using accurate details.
• You will be given the Right of Appeal.

We are committed to ensuring fairness for all applicants. Please make sure all information provided is truthful and up to date.