APPLYING FOR A SECONDARY SCHOOL PLACE

Below is some helpful information for when you need to start looking for a Secondary School place for your child.

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

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.

Please find below a link to the Walsall Secondary School Admissions page where you can apply.

2024 - DROP-IN SESSIONS

Walsall Council are pleased to inform you that we will be hosting drop-in sessions at various locations throughout Walsall to assist parents and carers in completing their online secondary 2025 applications.

We have the following sessions available;

Location: Willenhall Library

Date: Tuesday, 15 October 2024

Time: : 9:30am - 12:30pm

Address: 1 Walsall St, Willenhall, WV13 2EX

Location: Darlaston Library

Date: Tuesday, 15 October 2024

Time: : 1pm - 4pm

Address: 1 King Street, Darlaston WS10 8DE

Location: Lichfield Street Hub

Date: Wednesday, 16 October 2024

Time: 9am - 5pm

Address: Lichfield St, Walsall, WS1 1TR

Location: Blakenall Village Centre

Date: Thursday, 17 October 2024

Time: 1pm - 4pm

Address: 79 Thames Rd, Bloxwich, Walsall, WS3 1LZ