Apply for a secondary school place (Year 7)

Apply for a Year 7 place for September

To apply for a Year 7 place starting in September 2026, you must complete an online application form.

You can choose up to three schools for your child.

Apply for a secondary school place

Who should use the online system

  • Only Hartlepool residents should use our online application service
  • If you live in another local authority and want to apply for a Hartlepool school, apply through your own local authority and list your preferred Hartlepool schools. They will send us your application
  • If you want to apply for an independent school, contact the school directly

What you will need to apply

Before you start, you’ll need to register for an account unless you’ve done so in a previous year.

Make sure you have:

  • a valid email address 
  • your childs details
  • your home address
  • details of up to three preferred schools

How to apply

When applying, you should:

  • complete the online form
  • list your preferred schools in order
  • submit your application before the deadline

After you apply:

  • you will receive a confirmation email
  • if you do not receive this, your application may not have been submitted

If you make changes:

  • you must resubmit your application
  • you will receive a new confirmation email

Important deadline

The closing date for applications is:

31st October 2025

You should apply on time to give your child the best chance of getting a place at one of your preferred schools.

Apply for a secondary school place

Need help applying?

You can access free computers and internet at Hartlepool libraries.

Late applications

You can still apply after the closing date, but this may affect your chances of getting a place.

If you apply for a school place after the closing date:

  1. we will not process late applications until after national offer day – Monday 2 March 2026
  2. schools do not reserve places for late applicants. Your preferred school may be full
  3. applications submitted after offer day will be processed in Bulk round 2, which closes Thursday 19 March 2026. Offers will be sent on Friday 20 March 2026
  4. if you apply on or after 20 March 2026, we aim to send your offer within 2 weeks of receiving your application

Changing schools during the year

If your child is already at secondary school and you want them to move to a different school, you must apply for an in-year admission.

Apply for an in-year school place