Application process opens - Tuesday 6^th  January, 2026 @ 9am

Application Deadline - Monday 2^nd March, 2026 @ 9am

Allocation letters sent by post - Friday 17^th  April, 2026

Allocation email sent - Friday 17^th  April, 2026

Deadline for response to allocation - Friday 1^st May, 2026

3 November 2025

Online system opens for you to apply online.

Nov / Dec 2025

Open events at schools. 

Find individual school details in the schools directory.

Deadline to apply for a school place.

Last date to submit a written explanation giving reasons why your application was late, for your application to be agreed as ‘on time’.

If you move house, this is the last date for you to provide evidence of your new address and for it to be considered ‘on time’ in the allocation process.

National allocation day

We will email you the school you've been allocated, if you applied online and confirmed your email address. The online allocation system will be updated with allocations and be available only after allocation emails have been sent.

If you applied on paper, we will send you a notification letter and response form by first class post.

If you applied online, you can use online facilities including appeals and continuing interest.

Continuing interest applications open.

You can add new school preferences for some Hertfordshire schools for the first continuing interest run. Information will be available online on 16 April 2026.

Continuing interest lists are created.

Applicants with unmet higher preferences will automatically go on the list for those schools.

Parents or carers should confirm this with schools responsible for their own admissions.

Last date for accepting the place offered.

Online applicants must accept the place online.

Paper applicants should return their response form to the Admissions and Transport team.

First continuing interest run.

We'll contact you with an offer of a new school place, if you're successful at the first continuing interest run.

Last date to register an appeal.

Continuing interest applications open for the second run.

You can add new preferences for any school for the second continuing interest run.

Last date to register a change of preferences or for new applications to be added for the second continuing interest run.

Second (and final) continuing interest run.

We'll contact you with an offer of a new school place, if you're successful at the second continuing interest run.

If school vacancies occur, places will be filled from remaining continuing interest lists.

School admission appeals take place during this period.

Continuing interest lists (waiting lists) for junior and middle schools close on 25 June 2026.

To retain your continuing interest for a Hertfordshire junior or middle school, you will need to make an in year application from 29 June 2026.

Continuing interest lists (waiting lists) for primary schools close on 23 July 2026.

To retain your continuing interest for a Hertfordshire primary school, you'll need to make an in year application from 24 July 2026.

Online system opened for you to apply online.

Sept / Oct 2025

Open events at schools. 

Find individual school details in the schools directory.

31 October 2025

Deadline to apply for a school place.

2 December 2025

Last date to submit a written explanation giving reasons why your application was late, for your application to be agreed as ‘on time’.

If you move house, this is the last date for you to provide evidence of your new address and for it to be considered ‘on time’ in the allocation process.

2 March 2026

National allocation day

We will email you the school you've been allocated, if you applied online and confirmed your email address.

The online allocation system will be updated with allocations and be made available only after allocation emails have been sent.

If you applied on paper, we will send you a notification letter and response form by first class post.

If you applied online, you can use online facilities including opting out, making a new application and submitting an appeal.

2 – 9 March 2026

Continuing interest lists are created.

Applicants that didn't get any higher preference schools will automatically go on the list for those schools.

Parents or carers should confirm this with schools responsible for their own admissions.

2 – 9 March 2026

Continuing interest applications open.

You can add new preferences for some Hertfordshire schools for the first continuing interest run. Information will be available online from 2 March 2026.

9 March 2026

Last date to accept the place offered.

Online applicants should accept the place online.

Paper applicants should return their response form to the Admissions and Transport Team.

23 – 27 March 2026

First continuing interest run.

We'll contact you with an offer of a new school place, if you're successful.

27 March 2026 (4pm)

Last date to register an appeal.

30 March – 10 April 2026

Continuing interest applications open again.

You can add new preferences for all schools for the second run of continuing interest.

10 April 2026

Last date to register a change of preferences or for new applications to be added for the second continuing interest run.

27 April – 1 May 2026

Second (and final) continuing interest run.

We'll contact you with an offer of a new school place, if you're successful at the second continuing interest run.

29 April – 15 June 2026 (excluding half term and bank holidays)

School admission appeals take place during this period.

May – July 2026

29 June 2026

Continuing interest lists (waiting lists) for Year 9 (upper school) and Year 10 (studio school or university technical college) close on 25 June 2026.

To retain your continuing interest for a Hertfordshire upper or studio school or UTC you will need to make an in year application from 29 June 2026.

23 July 2026

Continuing interest lists for secondary schools close on 23 July 2026.

To retain your continuing interest for a Hertfordshire secondary school you will need to make an in year application from 24 July 2026.