EDUCATION
London secondary school applications for 2027: a parent decision guide
For children starting Year 7 in September 2027, the application is made through the council where the child lives—even when preferred schools are in another borough. The strongest shortlist starts with admissions rules, not league-table headlines.
- Application route
- Home local authority
- Camden deadline
- 31 October 2026
- Open events
- September and October
- Check separately
- Tests, faith or music forms
Start with the home borough
Submit the common application through the local authority where the child normally lives. GOV.UK provides a postcode route to the correct council, including when preferred schools sit across borough boundaries.
The deadline that matters
Camden confirms 31 October 2026 as its online Year 7 deadline for September 2027 entry. London families should verify the exact timetable shown by their home borough and submit early enough to resolve account or evidence problems.
Read every admissions policy
Distance, siblings, looked-after status, faith criteria, aptitude, banding and priority areas can change the realistic order of preferences. A school’s popularity or results do not replace its published oversubscription rules.
Use open events as evidence
Visit with a short checklist: daily travel, pastoral support, SEND provision, curriculum, behaviour, clubs and how the school communicates with families. Record answers beside each preference.
Watch supplementary deadlines
Some schools require a separate supplementary form, banding test, music assessment or faith evidence. These do not replace the council application, and their dates can fall before 31 October.
