Secondary schools
- What can I do if I have been refused a place at one of my preferred schools?
You have the right to appeal for a place at any school you have been refused. Further information on the appeals process can be found by visiting school appeals.
You can also view the 2026 allocation breakdown for each secondary school here, which details how the oversubscription criteria has been applied to each school and also where the cut off point for admission came.
- Has my child been placed on a waiting list?
Yes, all children that have been refused a place have been added to the waiting list for the school. You can find out your child’s position by contacting the Education helpline on 0345 155 1019.
Please note that the waiting lists are held in order of oversubscription criteria and not on a first come, first served basis. This means that your child’s position on the waiting list is liable to change and they may move up and down the waiting list.
- What if I want to change the school that I have been allocated?
You are able to request places at other schools. You will need to complete a change of preference form to let us know what your new preferences are. There is a second round of allocations on 24 April 2026 and if you wish to be considered for a place at another school on this date, you must complete the change of preference form and ensure it is returned to the admissions team by 30 March 2026.
Any change of preference received after 30 March 2026 will be processed in date order.
- I didn’t apply for a school place, what can I do?
You need to complete a common application form. Please be advised that you should complete an application form and ensure it has been received in our office by 30 March 2026 in order to be considered in the second round of allocations on 24 April 2026.
Please note that if you don’t apply, we may make an offer of a place, looking at your designated school first, if it has a vacancy, then the nearest school with a vacancy to your home address.
- What do I do if I no longer require the place that has been allocated?
You can notify us that you no longer require the place and we can ensure the places are reallocated. If you don’t require the place because you have made alternative arrangements or you are moving away from the area, please notify us by emailing admissions@devon.gov.uk.
- What has happened in previous allocation rounds?
These are the allocation breakdowns for each school from previous years:
Primary schools
- What can I do if I have been refused a place at one of my preferred schools?
You have the right to appeal for a place at any school you have been refused. Further information on the appeals process can be found by visiting school appeals.
You can also view an allocation breakdown for each primary school, which details how the oversubscription criteria has been applied to each school and also where the cut off point for admission came.
- Has my child been placed on a waiting list?
Yes, all children that have been refused a place have been added to the waiting list for the school. You can find out your child’s position by contacting the Education helpline on 0345 155 1019.
Please note that the waiting lists are held in order of oversubscription criteria and not on a first come, first served basis. This means that your child’s position on the waiting list is liable to change and they may move up and down the waiting list.
- What if I want to change the school that I have been allocated?
You are able to request places at other schools. You will need to complete a change of preference form to let us know what your new preferences are. There is a second round of allocations on 22 May 2026, and if you wish to be considered for a place at another school on this date, you must complete the change of preference form and ensure it is returned to the admissions team by 11 May 2026.
Any change of preference received after 11 May 2026 will be processed in date order.
- I didn’t apply for a school place, what can I do?
You need to complete a common application form (primary school). Please be advised that you should complete an application form and ensure it has been received in our office by 11 May 2026 in order to be considered in the second round of allocations on 22 May 2026.
Please note that if you don’t apply, we may make an offer of a place, looking at your designated school first, if it has a vacancy, then the nearest school with a vacancy to your home address.
- What do I do if I no longer require the place that has been allocated?
You can notify us that you no longer require the place and we can ensure the places are reallocated. If you don’t require the place because you have made alternative arrangements or you are moving away from the area, please notify us by emailing admissions@devon.gov.uk.
- What has happened in previous allocation rounds?