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Secondary school places

If your child was born between 1 September 2014 and 31 August 2015, you can apply online for a place at secondary school for them from 14 July 2025. This will be for the academic year starting in September 2026.

Admissions guide

Take a look at our admissions to secondary school guide before you apply for a secondary school place for your child.

Apply for a secondary school place

For your child to start secondary school in September 2026, you should apply for a place by 31 October 2025. You can apply online.

Please note, if you're applying for a school outside of Barnsley, you must check the closing date as this may be different and could impact your application.

If you're unable to apply online, please contact us for advice.

You can still apply online for a school place after the closing date, but your application won't be processed until after offer day on 2 March 2026.

If you live in Barnsley

You can include up to three schools on your application. You should rank these in order of your preference – first, second and third.

Your preference can include any secondary school in England. If the school you prefer is outside of Barnsley, please check with the council in that area for their admissions criteria.

If one of your preferred schools is Holy Trinity, you must also complete the Holy Trinity supplementary application form. The form can be attached to your application or handed into the school.

If you’re applying for a place at a voluntary aided school in the following areas, you must also complete their supplementary form and hand this into the relevant school:

If you live outside Barnsley

If you don’t live in Barnsley, don’t use the Barnsley online system to apply for a secondary school place. Contact the school admissions service at your local council for details of how to apply.

Tips for completing your application

  • Ensure you apply online and on time.
  • Use the address that you're currently living at. If you move house after you've applied, please contact us for advice.
  • If you're asked to provide a copy of a document confirming your child is registered at your address, you can use any of the following:
    • Child Benefit letter
    • information relating to Working Tax Credit or Childcare Tax Credit
    • letter from your doctor, for a hospital appointment, or dentist
    • child's bank statement
    • medical card

Secondary schools in Barnsley

Please see below for a list of all schools within Barnsley.

We advise you to read all school specific information prior to applying. Some schools have different oversubscription criteria and may also need you to submit additional information.

What happens next 

We’ll get in touch with you on 2 March 2026. We'll tell you the name of the school where we can offer your child a secondary school place. If you provided an email address, you'll receive your offer letter by email. Alternatively, a letter will be posted to you.

  • If a place is available at your first preference school - we’ll offer your child a place there.

  • If there are only places available at your second or third preference schools - we’ll offer your child a place at one of these. We'll also place your child’s name on the waiting lists of any schools you’ve ranked higher.

  • If places are available at more than one of the schools you prefer - we’ll offer your child a place at the school you’ve ranked highest.

  • If places aren’t available at any of the schools you prefer - we’ll offer your child a place at the school or academy nearest to your address that has places available.

If you've made other arrangements for your child’s education and don’t need the place offered, you must tell us in writing within 10 working days of receiving your offer. You'll need to confirm the other arrangements you've made for your child's education.

Making an appeal

If you don’t get a place for your child at the school you prefer, you can appeal to an independent panel. To do this, you need to fill in a notice of appeal (this includes an information booklet) and send this to us by 12 April 2025.

Appeals will normally be held between April and July 2026.

Find out more about school admissions appeals.

More information

Admissions guide for social workers

If you’re responsible for a child in care or supporting a child with a social worker, please read the following guidance carefully to help you follow the school application process.

Key information for applications

  • Apply as the child’s parent or carer.
  • Provide the child’s current address.
  • List any siblings they have that are currently attending the school you’re applying to.
  • Complete the ‘Local authority responsible for the child’s care’ section to ensure their looked-after status is correctly applied.

If the child has a social worker but is not looked after:

  • The application must be made by someone with parental responsibility, and all parties with this responsibility must agree on the application.
  • If there is a disagreement, the application cannot be processed until this is resolved.

Submitting your application before the deadline is essential as:

  • It increases your chance of securing a preferred school place.
  • It helps ensure the child’s looked-after or social care status is considered appropriately.
  • It helps the child avoid delays in their education and missed opportunities, which can be disruptive for vulnerable children.
  • It supports smoother transitions and planning.

Late applications may result in fewer available school options and could impact the continuity and stability of the child’s education.

School transfers

If a child in your care needs to transfer schools outside the typical admission cycles, please contact us for guidance at Admissions@barnsley.gov.uk. 

Processing times

We try to respond to applications as quickly as possible. We ask for up to 15 school days to process  applications in term time. Please note, decisions can take longer during school holidays.

School admission preference statistics

These statistics provide the number of applications and offers made for secondary and primary school entry and the proportion which received preferred offers.