Most parents in York get a place for their child at the school they want, although this is not always possible. Parents are only guaranteed a secondary school place if they receive an offer from us.

Parents can apply for their child to attend any secondary school.

Attendance at a primary school does not give any guarantee of a place at a particular secondary school.

We are responsible for deciding admissions to all York schools except All Saints' RC School, Manor CE School and Archbishop Holgate's School. Places at these schools are decided by their own governing bodies. Parents should contact these schools directly if they wish to apply for a place.

To apply for a secondary school place other than transferring from primary to secondary please use the Admission Request Form located on the right.

For contact details for all schools see secondary schools.

Moving from primary to secondary school in York

Parents are sent a Common Application form in the October of the year before their child finishes primary school. Parents are asked to state the preferred secondary schools and the reasons why they wish their child to go there. This is an important form and the child's place may be in jeopardy if you do not return the form before the closing date. Alternatively you can apply online using Online School Admissions.

Expressing a preference and the reasons for that preference are legally required and parents are advised to complete the form fully and carefully.

The form can be downloaded from the right of this page.

Pupils with special educational needs

Where children have a statement of SEN, parental preference for either a mainstream or special school place is considered and agreed as part of the statutory assessment or annual review process. Please note that there is a different admission and appeals process for children with statements. Further details are available from the SEN co-ordination service on (01904) 554319.

What happens if a school is oversubscribed?

All schools have a limit on the number of children who can attend them. It is inevitable with large numbers of pupils moving to secondary education that some schools will be oversubscribed.

When allocating places at oversubscribed schools we consider

• Which catchment area the child's home address is in
• Whether parents have indicated the school as a preference
• The child's medical or social needs
• Whether they have a brother or sister attending the school.

In summary, places are allocated:

First priority - to 'looked after' children - (children who are in the care of a local authority or provided with accommodation by that authority).

Second priority - to pupils who live within the school's catchment area.

Third priority - to pupils considered by the LA to have exceptional social or medical needs which relate to the preferred school. (The LA may consult with other medical/educational professionals for a further opinion as to whether a child should be allocated to an individual school).

Fourth priority - to pupils with siblings at the school in September of the academic year they seek admittance ('siblings' are defined as brothers or sisters living in the same house, as their primary place of residence, including half and step brothers or sisters).

Fifth priority - to pupils with the nearest available safe walking route.

If a pupil is in the position of potentially being offered a place at more than one school, the
single offer will be made for the school the parent/carer ranked the highest.

Catchment areas

The schools below serve their own geographical area. Select a school to view the list of streets in the school's catchment area.

• Archbishop Holgate's Church of England School (PDF, 1 page, 30kb)
• Burnholme Community College (PDF, 1 page, 30kb)
• Canon Lee School (PDF, 2 pages, 30kb)
• Fulford School (PDF, 2 pages, 30kb)
• Huntington School  (PDF, 2 pages, 30kb)
• Joseph Rowntree School (PDF, 2 pages, 30kb)
• Millthorpe School (PDF, 2 pages, 30kb)
• York High (new school) (PDF, 2 pages, 30kb)

Catchment area maps are available to view by visiting the Education Access Team at Mill House, North Street.

What if my child lives outside the City of York?

If you live outside the City of York boundary and wish your child to be admitted to a York school, or if you are about to move to the city you should contact us for advice.

Can my child transfer to secondary school early?

Sometimes children transfer to secondary school before the normal transfer age, but this is exceptional. We will only consider it if the child will be more than 10 years and 6 months when they go to secondary school. The headteachers of the primary and secondary schools must agree that:

• the child has outstanding ability for his or her age, and
• they are physically and emotionally mature enough for secondary school.

If you believe your child would benefit from transferring to secondary school early, discuss the matter with your child's primary headteacher.