Apply for a secondary school place

Children born between 1 September 2015 and 31 August 2016 will start Secondary School in September 2027.

Apply online from 1 September 2026 for September 2027 admissions. You must apply by 31 October 2026. If you apply after 31 October your application will be considered late and may be at a disadvantage.

Before you apply

It is best to take some time to think about which school would be best for your child. You should find out as much as you can about your preferred schools by:

• reading TIPS 8 - Primary and Secondary School Admissions
• reading the guidance on using the citizens portal
• contacting the schools to see their prospectus and looking at their websites
• reading the schools’ admissions policies
• talking to staff in your child’s current setting
• visiting the schools (phone first to make an appointment) or go to school open days or evenings

Selective schools

Children who want to attend a selective school need to sit a selective test. They also need to sit a test for the selective stream at The Spires College. You need to complete an exam registration form to allow your child to sit the test.

All selective schools in Torbay use the same test results. Students only need to sit the test once. 

You can download a test registration form on the school’s website. You need to return it to the school by midday on Wednesday 15 July 2026. 

At the very latest, you should return it by midday on Wednesday 2 September 2026. 

• Churston Ferrers Grammar School
• The Spires College
• Torquay Boys’ Grammar School
• Torquay Girls’ Grammar School

Applying for a place

You must register for an online account to apply for a Year 7 secondary school place. You can do this when the Citizen's portal goes live on 1 September 2026.

• complete this form if your child has an Education, Health and Care Plan and you would like to apply for a mainstream school place. For a Specialist Educational Provision, please contact the SENDCO at your child’s current school and submit the SEP form.
• complete our form if you live in Torbay, even if you are applying for schools outside Torbay
• children who live outside Torbay need to apply to the council where they live, for example Devon County Council.

Application deadlines

Apply by 31 October 2026. If you apply by this date you will get your offer on 1 March 2027.

We won't look at late applications until the first round of allocations has finished.

School preference

You can choose up to three schools in your order of preference from one to three.  This can include out of area schools and selective schools.

We will offer your child one secondary school place. If a place was available at more than one of your preferences, the offer will be for your highest preference.

Supplementary forms

You may need to complete a supplementary information form for your preferred schools. Check directly with the school and return the completed form to them.

Your preferred school may prioritise the children of staff in their admission criteria. If you work at the school then you will need to fill in a form to tell the school about your child's application.

You must complete these forms as well as the main (common) application form.