Parents offered secondary school application tips

Parents and carers have been encouraged to complete their application on the City of Wolverhampton Council website as soon as possible

Parents and carers who are applying for secondary school places are being offered tips by a council, which is stressing each institution has its own admissions policy.

Applications to City of Wolverhampton Council are now being taken for places for students due to start Year 7 in 2026 and these must be submitted by midnight on 31 October this year.

Tips include visiting schools, keeping options open and listing five schools in order of preference.

Anyone who needs help making their online application is invited to attend a surgery at the Civic Centre in St Peter's Square on Thursdays next month from 9 October.

Parents and carers have been encouraged to complete their application on the council website as soon as possible.

Ensuring it was made by the deadline "can increase your chance of securing a place at a preferred school", the authority said.

It advised people to understand the admissions criteria, adding each secondary school's admissions policy was published on the website of that institution.

Online applications could be amended up to the deadline, so "you can change your mind if you wish".

All secondary schools in Wolverhampton are holding open events and people can look at the secondary education guide on the council website, which includes admission statistics and details about each school.

Parents and carers could also phone the admissions and appeals team for more help.

Cabinet member for children, young people and education Jacqui Coogan said this was "one of the most important decisions you can make for your child".

She stated: "If your child has just started their final year at primary or junior school, now is the time to start thinking about their secondary school place for next year."