Key dates for applying for secondary school - September 2026 entry

You can register for the Medway Test and should apply for a secondary school place if your child was born between 1 September 2014 and 31 August 2015.

If your child has an education, health and care plan (EHCP) you will need to follow a different process. Find out more about applying for a school place for a child with an EHC plan.

Key dates from secondary school admissions 2026

Date Event
9am on Monday 19 May 2025 Registration for the Medway Test (11+) opens.
5pm on Friday 13 June 2025 Registration for the Medway Test closes.
Monday 23 June 2025 Closing date for special arrangements requests from schools.
Monday 1 September 2025 Secondary school applications open.
Tuesday 16 and Wednesday 17 September 2025 Medway Test dates for children who attend Medway primary and junior schools.

Saturday 20 or Sunday 21 September 2025

Medway Test date for children from non-Medway schools.

One day will be allocated to each child who attends a non-Medway primary or junior school.

Wednesday 15 October 2025 Results of the Medway Test.
Friday 31 October 2025 Secondary school applications close.
Monday 2 March 2026 Offers sent to parents and carers.
Friday 27 March 2026 Deadline for accepting/refusing offers, waiting requests and appeal requests.
Monday 20 April 2026 Re-allocation of school places and processing of late applications.
Monday 31 August 2026 End of admissions process and waiting lists close.