95% of parents receive first choice of secondary school

This National Offer Day (3 March), Cheshire East Council has informed thousands of parents and carers about their children's secondary school places.

This year 95% will receive an offer from their first preference school, with 98 per cent receiving an offer from one of their top three preferences. 

Over 4,200 applications were submitted by parents and carers for children transitioning to secondary school in September 2025.    

Councillor Carol Bulman, chair of Cheshire East Council’s children and families committee, said:

“Moving up to secondary school is a monumental milestone for children and their families. Our dedicated team has worked tirelessly with schools to accommodate parental preferences, and I am delighted that the vast majority of children will be attending one of their preferred schools this September. I wish all pupils every success in their final year of primary school and as they prepare for this exciting new chapter.” 

Cheshire East Council, like all councils, has a statutory duty to ensure sufficient school places for local children and young people. The council adheres to the government’s School Admissions Code, ensuring that all school places for maintained schools and academies are allocated and offered fairly and transparently.  

The council has advised that when parents and carers receive their offer, they have several options:  

• Accept the school place – Deadline: 17 March 
• Join waiting lists – If a preferred school place was not offered, parents can request to be added to one or more waiting lists by 17 March. 
• Appeal the decision – If dissatisfied with the offer, parents can appeal before the 31 March deadline.

Parents are encouraged to accept their child's offer even if they prefer a different school until alternative arrangements are confirmed. Additionally, parents should apply for home-to-school travel assistance before the end of April to ensure travel arrangements and passes are in place by the start of the new academic year. 

Parents of pupils with an Education, Health, and Care Plan (EHCP) will receive separate confirmation of their child's place, as they follow a slightly different timetable.

For help and advice, parents can visit: 

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

The website of their preferred school.

email: 

admissions@cheshireeast.gov.uk

...or call:

0300 123 5012 (option 1)

Information on school transport is available at: 

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