Deferred entry

You must request deferred entry for your child now for transfer to secondary education in September 2027 only if your child:

• was born between 1 April 2016 to 31 August 2016
• had deferred entry agreed at the point they were due to start reception, but would have transferred to secondary school in September 2027 had this not been agreed

Important dates

As part of this deferred entry request, you must also complete an application. Families must apply for a secondary school place for September 2027 from 1 September 2026 to 31 October 2026.

Applications submitted after 31 October 2026 will be classed as late applications. Late applications will not be processed until the offer of places, which is on 1 March 2027.

Read latest Department of Education guidance.

If you want to request that your child's entry be deferred, make sure that you read our deferred entry guidance and form.

Page last updated: 14 August 2026