93% of parents receive offer for first preference of secondary school on National Offer Day

Cheshire East Council has contacted thousands of parents and carers on national secondary school offer day (2nd March), with 93% receiving their first preference school.

Almost 5,000 applications were received from parents and carers whose children will be starting secondary school in September 2026, 98 per cent of Cheshire East residents received an offer from their three preferences – up from 97 per cent in 2025. 

Cheshire East Council, like all councils, has a statutory duty to make sure there are enough school places available to local children and young people.  

The council follows the government’s school admissions code, which ensures that all school places for maintained schools and academies are allocated and offered in an open and fair way. 

The council has advised that when parents and carers receive their offer – they do have a number of options: 

• Accept the school place – the deadline for this is 16 March 2026 
• If their child has not been offered a place at a preferred school, they can ask to go on one or more school waiting lists – parents are encouraged to do this by 16 March 2026 but you can still join until the end of December 
• If they are unhappy with the offer they have received, they can make an appeal before the deadline of 30 March 2026 

Parents are advised to accept their child’s offer even if they would prefer a different school until they have confirmed alternative plans for their child’s education. 

Councillor Laura Crane, chair of Cheshire East’s children and families committee, said:

“Moving into secondary school is a momentous occasion and huge milestone for any child, and naturally parents will be eager for their child to secure their desired school. 

“Secondary school offer day is a key date in the calendar for children and families across the borough, so it’s important we communicate the offers and any appeal deadlines, as clearly as possible to ensure nobody misses out.  

“I’d like to wish all pupils starting secondary education the very best for the next academic year, and hope that they enjoy their new schools as they take the leap into new challenges and new opportunities.” 

For help and advice, parents can visit: 

http://www.cheshireeast.gov.uk/schooladmissions

...or the website of their preferred school or e-mail: 

admissions@cheshireeast.gov.uk

 or call:

0300 123 5012 (option 1)