Successful allocations of secondary school places in North Northamptonshire
02 March 2026
Children starting Year 7 in England and Wales in September 2026 find out about school places today (Monday, 2 March).
4,180 secondary school places for this academic year have been allocated to pupils across North Northamptonshire.
This shows a consistent slightly downward trend in the number of applications received each year in the last three years, with 4,216 in 2025 and 4,292 in 2024.
The online parent portal remains the most popular method of applying, with 99.3% of applications submitted this way in 2026.
A total of 96.6% of applicants have received a place at one of their preference schools. This compares to 95.6% in 2025 and 96.6% in 2024.
The results of parents’/carers’ applications are as follows:
- 85.26% of applicants have been allocated a place at their first preference – up from 83.16% last year
- 8.57% of applicants have been allocated a place at their second preference –fewer than the 9.98% in 2025
- 2.75% have been allocated a place at their third preference - slightly more applicants than the 2.42% in 2025
Parents/carers who applied for secondary school places online before the closing date of 31 October, 2025 are able to check their offer online from 00:01 on 2 March.
Emails confirming schools offered will be sent to parents/carers from 8:00am on 2 March.
We recognise the important role education plays in the development of every child, and I’m delighted that 96.6% of pupils have received a place at one of their preferred secondary schools.Cllr Elizabeth Wright, executive member for Children, Education and Families
North Northamptonshire Council is committed to continuous improvement to ensure children have the very best secondary education.
I wish all the children every success with their journeys into and through secondary education.
Parents have a statutory right to appeal (through the independent admission appeals process) against the refusal of a place at a school for which they have applied.
The next round of secondary school place allocations (for late applicants) will take place from April.
Primary and Junior school allocations will be announced on Wednesday, 16 April.