Year 7 Applications: September 2023 Start

Year 7 Applications are now open. Please click on the links below.

https://admissions.walsall.gov.uk/CitizenPortal_LIVE/en?ReturnUrl=%2FCitizenPortal_LIVE%2F

https://go.walsall.gov.uk/schools_and_learning/schools_in_walsall/school_admissions/apply_for_a_secondary_school_place

Children born between 1 September 2011 and 31 August 2012 are due to transfer to a secondary school (year 7) in September 2023.

The closing date for applications is 31 October 2022. If you apply late, you may not get a place at one of your preferred schools.

If you live outside Walsall, you should complete an application from your home local authority (even if you are applying for a Walsall school).

Before you apply

You should:

explore school websites, read school admissions policies and entry criteria. This will help you understand how schools make their admissions decisions
try to attend school open evenings. Speak to staff, and ask about the admissions criteria they used last year. Some schools may be holding their open evenings virtually. Individual school websites will have the most up-to-date information
think about how your child will travel to and from school

Deciding on your school preferences

You should include five schools on your application, and list them in order of preference. If you only express a preference for a single school, you risk being offered a place that you are unhappy with. You should also choose schools that your child has a realistic chance of getting in to.

Walsall Council has a duty to offer your child a school place. We always try to meet your first choice, but sometimes we receive more applications than the school has places available. We'll then try to offer your next highest preference. If we cannot meet any of your preferences, we will offer you a place in the nearest school to your home address with available places. We will also put your child’s name on the waiting list for your preferred schools.

View the waiting list policy.

If your child is already of school age, you can apply direct to your preferred schools during the school year. This is known as a mid-year admission or transfer.

The schemes for co-ordinated admissions document tells you more about:

when key decisions are made
evidence for late applications
what to do if you live near a borough boundary and want to apply for a school in another authority
which schools are their own admissions authority

Applying for schools outside Walsall

If you live in Walsall but any of your preferred schools are outside Walsall Borough, you can still apply in the same way. Walsall Council runs a co-ordinated admissions scheme with neighbouring councils and admissions authorities, so you only have to complete one application.

When you need to apply

To apply for a September 2023 place, complete our online application by 31 October 2022. You can use the application portal every day from 8am to 9.30pm.

Apply for a secondary school place

If you miss the closing date of 31 October 2022 your application will be regarded as late. This will reduce your chances of being offered a preferred school.

Get support with making your application

Our step-by-step admissions guide will take you through the whole admissions process. It explains how to create an account, how to log in, and how to submit your application.

The guide is only available in English. If you need extra support, you can contact the admissions and appeals team.

You can also download our information booklet.

Download list

Admissions guide:Document 1:Download PDF (2.4MB)
Information for parents:Document 2:Download PDF (2.4MB)

Supplementary application forms

Some schools need you to complete their own forms as well as the online application. You can download the forms for the schools you're interested in:

Aldridge School - music scholarship place:Document 1:Download PDF
Blue Coat CE Academy:Document 2:Download PDF
Brownhills Ormiston Academy:Document 4:Download PDF
Shire Oak Academy:Document 4:Download PDF
St. Francis of Assisi Catholic School:Document 2:Download PDF
St. Thomas More:Document 2:Download PDF

Please check the following school websites for their supplementary forms:

When you'll receive your offer

You will receive your offer by email on 1 March 2023. The emails are sent automatically over the course of the day.

If you are not happy with your offer, you can appeal against the decision.

Offer day FAQs

You can download our frequently asked questions document for some further information that you might find helpful.

Download list

Offer day FAQsDocument 1:Document 4:Download PDF (175k)

Late applications

You can view our late application policy to find out what this means for your application. Each preferred school will have their own policy, too.

If you change the name or ranking of a school after the closing date, your application will be treated as late. If you want to make changes, email us and tell us:

your child's full name
their date of birth
your home address
what changes you want to make

Late applications received up to 4 weeks after the closing date (between 1 and 29 November 2022)

We will process your application as late. You will receive your offer after the secondary offer notification date.

We will accept late applications as being on time if:

you were unable to submit your online application on time because you moved into the Borough of Walsall after the closing date
exceptional circumstances prevented you from submitting your online application
you are a single parent and have been ill for some time

You will need to explain why your application is late and may need to provide supporting evidence.

You can view our late application policy for full details.

Late applications received more than 4 weeks after the closing date (between 30 November 2022 and 28 February 2023)