Manchester City Council

Schools, education and childcare How to apply

How to apply

Apply here if:

  • Your child's date of birth is between 1 September 2015 and 31 August 2016 and is due to start secondary school for the first time in September 2027
  • you live in Manchester. If you aren't sure if you live in the area covered by Manchester City Council, you can find your local council.

If you live outside Manchester and want a place at a Manchester school you need to apply through your current home council.

The application round for Secondary 2027 school places opened on the 1 July 2026 and the deadline for on time applications is Friday 31 October 2026. Any applications received after this date will be classed as late applications.

Read information about applications from UK Crown servants or military families.

We can help children with special educational needs to get the right school place. To find out more see school places for children with special educational needs first.

If you want a place in an independent or private school, contact the school directly.

Follow these steps to apply for a school place:

  1. Find your nearest secondary schools
  2. See how secondary school places are decided

If you need a place to start now or for a different year go to apply for a secondary school place

For further advice and guidance visit www.gov.uk/schools-admissions