Secondary School Transfer

Secondary School Admissions & Open Days

September 2027 Entry: Information for Current Year 5 Families

As our Year 5 children prepare for their final year of primary school, the process for choosing and applying for secondary school places for September 2027 is now underway.

Secondary School Open Days & Evenings Visiting schools is the best way to help you and your child make informed choices. The local authority has published the full schedule of open days and evenings across the borough for September 2027 entry.

You can find comprehensive admissions advice, guidance, and the latest updates directly on the Achieving for Children website:

• Achieving for Children: Secondary School Open Days for 2027 Entry

Alternatively, scroll to the bottom of this page to download the Secondary School Open Dates PDF.

How the Process Works

Regardless of which borough you live in, the application process follows a standardised national timeline. You must apply to the local authority where you pay your Council Tax, even if the schools you are interested in are located in a different borough.

Key Dates for your Diary:

• September 1, 2026: Applications officially open via the eAdmissions portal.

• September – October 2026: Secondary schools will hold Open Days and Evenings. We highly recommend visiting a variety of schools during this time.

• 31 October 2026: The strict national deadline for all 2027 secondary school applications.

Where to Apply

Richmond and Hounslow residents will use the eAdmissions website to submit their preferences.

• You can list up to six schools in order of preference.

• You should list schools in the order you truly want them; the system is designed to offer you the highest-ranked school for which your child meets the admission criteria.

Important: Supplementary Information Forms (SIF) Many faith-based schools, foundation schools, and academies require a Supplementary Information Form (SIF). This is an additional form sent directly to the school (not the council) to provide evidence for their specific admissions criteria (e.g., religious practice or staff priority).

Comprehensive information about secondary school transfer can be found on the Achieving for Children website