How to Choose a Secondary School in the UK: A Parent's Complete Guide

Choosing a secondary school means balancing Ofsted ratings, published performance data, your child's personality, practical distance, and a firm application deadline. The process typically starts in Year 5 or 6, with most local authority forms due by the last week of October in Year 6. Getting organised early — and understanding what the data actually means — makes the decision far less stressful.

When does the secondary school choice process start?

Most families in England begin researching schools seriously in Year 5, when schools host open evenings and Ofsted reports can be read in full. The formal application is submitted in Year 6, with the national deadline usually falling on 31 October. Offers are made on 1 March (National Offer Day) the following year.

Missing the deadline does not disqualify your child, but late applications are typically processed after all on-time ones — which significantly reduces the chance of securing a preferred school.

What should parents look at when comparing schools?

Ofsted rating — what it actually measures

Ofsted inspects schools in England and publishes reports covering four headline judgements: Quality of Education, Behaviour and Attitudes, Personal Development, and Leadership and Management. Each is graded Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement, or Inadequate.

The overall effectiveness grade is the single figure most parents check first, but the sub-judgements reveal more. A school graded Good overall but Outstanding for Personal Development may suit a child who needs strong pastoral care; one rated Good for Quality of Education with a rigorous curriculum may suit an academically ambitious student.

Inspect the full report at gov.uk — the narrative section under each judgement contains far more nuance than the grade alone.

Performance data — Progress 8 and Attainment 8

The DfE school performance tables publish two headline metrics for secondary schools:

Attainment 8 — the average GCSE grade across eight qualifying subjects. Higher is better, but it largely reflects the intake.

Progress 8 — how much pupils improved relative to similar pupils nationally. This is the fairer measure of what a school adds, independent of whether it takes higher-attaining pupils at entry.

A school with a modest Attainment 8 but a positive Progress 8 score (+0.3 or above is above average) is doing well by its pupils.

Table: key factors to weigh when choosing a secondary school

Factor | What to look for | Where to find it
Ofsted rating | Good or Outstanding; read the sub-judgements | gov.uk inspection reports
Progress 8 | Positive score (above 0) means pupils progress well | DfE performance tables
Attainment 8 | Context: compare to local schools, not just national | DfE performance tables
Distance / catchment | Last-distance-offered in previous years | School admissions policy
Sixth form | Offered on site, or expected to move at 16? | School prospectus
Specialist subjects | Arts, sports, STEM, languages — matches child's interests? | School website
Extracurriculars | Clubs, teams, trips — vital for wellbeing | Open evening
Pastoral care | Tutor system, SENCO, wellbeing lead | Open evening questions

What are the different types of secondary school?

Type | Key features | Selective?
Comprehensive | Admits all abilities from local catchment | No
Academy | State-funded, independent of local authority | Usually no
Grammar school | Selective by 11-plus exam; high academic focus | Yes — exam
Faith school | Often oversubscribed; admission may prioritise worshippers | Partial
Free school | Set up by groups outside local authority | Usually no
Specialist school | Focus on a subject area (arts, sport, STEM) | Sometimes partial

Grammar schools exist in about 36 local authority areas in England. The 11-plus exam (or 13-plus for some schools) determines entry. Selective schools consistently achieve high Attainment 8 scores, but this partly reflects intake — Progress 8 data is more informative.

How to make the most of open days

Open evenings typically run from September to November of your child's Year 6. To get the most from a visit:

Walk the corridors during lessons — not just the showcase rooms. How do students behave when they think visitors aren't watching?

Talk to pupils, not just staff — ask them what they like and what they'd change.

Ask about the Year 7 transition programme — how does the school settle new students?

Check the options at GCSE — especially if your child has a strong subject interest.

Ask about the SENCO and pastoral team — especially if your child has additional needs.

Bring your child. Their instinctive reaction to the atmosphere often matters more than the prospectus.

How does the application process work?

Applications in England go through your local authority, not directly to schools. Most local authorities allow up to six preferences, ranked in order. You must apply even for schools in neighbouring authorities if you want them considered.

The local authority assesses applications against each school's oversubscription criteria — the rules used when more children apply than places exist. Common criteria, in order of priority:

Looked-after children and previously looked-after children

Children with siblings already at the school

Children living within the catchment area (measured by straight-line distance in most cases)

Children living closest to the school (distance tiebreaker)

Faith schools add criteria around church attendance or baptism. Grammar schools add passing the selective test. Always read the admissions policy for each school you are considering.

What if you don't get your first choice?

If the offer on 1 March is not your first preference, you have two options:

Appeal — each school must have an independent appeal panel. You present your case; the panel decides. Success rates vary by school and year group, but a well-prepared appeal citing specific reasons the school meets your child's needs does succeed.

Waiting list — ask to be placed on the waiting list for any preferred school. Positions change as families move or accept other offers. Some schools see significant movement between March and September.

In the meantime, accept the offered place. Accepting does not forfeit waiting list positions or appeal rights.

Frequently Asked Questions about choosing a secondary school

How important is the Ofsted rating when choosing a school?

The Ofsted rating is a useful starting point but not the whole picture. A Good school with a strong pastoral record and positive Progress 8 score may serve your child better than an Outstanding school with a pressured culture that does not suit their learning style. Read the full inspection report, not just the headline grade, and visit in person before deciding.

Are grammar schools better than comprehensive schools?

Grammar schools tend to achieve higher Attainment 8 scores, but this largely reflects that they admit higher-attaining pupils. When measured by Progress 8 — how much pupils improve relative to comparable peers — many comprehensive schools perform equally well or better. Grammar schools suit highly academic children in areas where they exist, but the 11-plus preparation required can be stressful. The best school is the one that fits your individual child.

What happens if we miss the October application deadline?

Late applications are accepted but processed after all on-time applications. This means you are significantly less likely to receive any of your preferred schools, since most places are allocated to on-time applicants first. If you miss the deadline, apply immediately and contact your local authority to understand your specific position.

For personalised academic support during the transition from primary to secondary school, see aitutors.me.