National Offer Day 2027
6 min read · updated 2026-10-13
Secondary school places in England are offered on National Offer Day, 1 March. In 2027 that is Monday 1 March; primary school offers follow on Friday 16 April 2027. Offers come from your home council, usually by email or through its online portal.
What happens on 1 March
You get one offer: the highest school on your list that could offer your child a place. If you live in one council but applied to schools in another, your home council still makes the offer, after the councils have co-ordinated. Grammar school offers come the same way; the school's test result only decides eligibility.
Accepting, waiting lists and moving up
- ✓ Accept the offer by your council's deadline (usually about two weeks), even if you hope for a higher-preference school: accepting does not remove you from waiting lists
- ✓ You are usually placed on the waiting list of every higher-preference school automatically; ask the council or school if not
- ✓ Waiting lists are ranked by each school's admission criteria, not by how long you have waited
- ✓ Schools must keep their waiting list until at least 31 December of the school year of admission, so places can come up all through spring and summer
The appeal timetable
If your child is refused a place, you can appeal for each school you applied to. The School Admission Appeals Code sets the rules: the admission authority must give you at least 20 school days from the date of the refusal to lodge your appeal, give at least 10 school days' notice of the hearing, and hear appeals made by the deadline within 40 school days of that deadline. Decisions should be sent within five school days of the hearing where possible.
Admission authorities must publish their appeal timetable by 28 February each year, so check the school or council website before offer day.
Grammar school places
For a grammar school, an appeal panel can only uphold an appeal for a child who did not pass the test if there is evidence the child is of grammar school standard, such as school reports or a letter from the headteacher. Our 11+ appeals guide covers the evidence that works.
FAQs
When is National Offer Day 2027?＋
Monday 1 March 2027 for secondary schools. Primary school offers are on Friday 16 April 2027.
What time are offers released?＋
It depends on your council: some send offers overnight or early morning, others later in the day. Check your council's website.
Should I accept an offer I don't want?＋
Usually yes: accepting keeps a place for your child while you stay on waiting lists for higher-preference schools.
How long do waiting lists last?＋
At least until 31 December of the school year your child starts, under the School Admissions Code.
How long do I have to appeal?＋
At least 20 school days from the date you were told the application was unsuccessful.
When will my appeal be heard?＋
For on-time applications, within 40 school days of the deadline for lodging appeals, with at least 10 school days' notice.
Sources
Facts on this page were checked against these official sources on 2026-10-13.
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