As a new academic year approaches and pupils move into year 6 in September, it’s time to start to think about which secondary school they would like to attend from September 2027.
A few ways that can help you decide on your top three choices are:-
- Attend the open days which are happening in schools
- Review the latest Ofsted reports for the school which can be found on Ofsted’s website
- Review previous years’ exam results
- Research and ask about the school’s culture, pastoral care and extra-curriculum activities.
- Ask your child – secondary schools also arrange visits for pupils during the school day so your child may also have a preference based on their time there.
Always remember when you are applying to list multiple preferences and don’t just list your first choice. If your first choice is full, naming alternative schools prevents your child from automatically being allocated their next nearest school with places, which could be further from your home.
In Knowsley, a number of open days have been confirmed. You can find out more about these, as well as the schools, below:-
- All Saints Catholic High School, Kirkby – open events will be arranged in September. You can find out more about the school here.
- Halewood Academy – open event to be confirmed. You can read more about the school here.
- Kirkby High School – Thursday 26 September 2026 from 6pm until 8.30pm and Tuesday 22 September and Wednesday 23 September from 9am until 11am. You can find out more about the school and the open events here.
- Prescot High School – Wednesday 23 September 2026 from 6pm until 8pm. You can find out more about the school and open event here.
- St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic Academy , Whiston – open event details to be confirmed. You can find out more about the school here.
You can apply for a secondary school place from 12 September 2026 and the closing date for applications is 31 October 2026.
Cllr Sean Donnelly, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said “There’s time between now and the secondary school application window opening to do some research about which school you would like your child to attend. You may already have an idea, but if you haven’t, take the time to visit the schools, read their Ofsted reports and speak to your child about their preferences.
“When you do apply, it’s really important that the form is fully completed by listing three preferences – don’t just list your first choice preference as if a place isn’t available here, you will be automatically be offered a place in your next nearest school to your home with spaces.”
Further information about school admissions can be found on the council’s website.