Draft coordinated admission arrangements timetable 2026

The local authority will act as a clearing house for the allocation of places by the relevant admission authorities in response to the common application forms. The local authority will only make any decision with respect to the offer or refusal of a place in response to any preference expressed on the common application form where:

(a)    it is acting in its separate capacity as an admission authority, or

(b)    an applicant is eligible for a place at more than one school, or

(c)    an applicant is not eligible for a place at any school that the parent has nominated

The local authority's system for online applications will become 'live' from the 8 September 2025 to midnight on the 31 October 2025 with the closing date for return of common application forms also the 31 October 2025.

During the week commencing 10 November 2025 the local authority will notify the admission authority for each of the schools of every application that has been made for that school. Where parents have requested a place at a school outside of the local authority area, the information will be forwarded to the relevant admission authority or authorities. All voluntary aided schools and academies should plan to gather information required from parents and set up admission committees for allocation of places.

During the first two weeks of January 2026, voluntary aided schools, other local authorities and academies, should aim to inform local authority of the allocation of places for all applications received in the priority order of their admission policy. Any applications which are refused also need to be listed in order of priority.

The local authority compares lists and considers all preferences from the parent and if first preference is refused then will look to see where 2, 3 or 4 preferences can be accommodated. The lists will be sent back to the voluntary aided schools and academies for their approval before finalising allocations. Liaison will take place with voluntary aided, other local authorities and academies until the allocation of places is resolved for each application, as required. 

By the 31 January 2026, the local authority will match ranked lists for all schools and:

(a)   where the child is eligible for a place at only one of the nominated schools, that school will be allocated to the child

(b)   where the child is eligible for a place at two or more of the nominated schools, they will be allocated a place at whichever of these is the highest ranked preference

(c)   where the child is not eligible for a place at any of the nominated schools, they will be offered a place at the nearest appropriate school with a vacancy or asked to contact school admissions for an alternative school

On 1 March 2026 (or the next working day) the local authority will post letters (2nd class post) to parents to let them know which school has been allocated to their child. If they have applied online, they will receive an email on the 1 March or the next working day. The letter will also tell them of their statutory right to appeal if they have been refused a place at their preferred school. 

Parents will need to complete an appeal form online on the appeal a school place decision webpage or request a paper appeal form and return to Appeals Service, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, Dunedin House, Columbia Drive, Thornaby, Stockton-on-Tees, TS17 6BJ within 20 school days upon receipt of the form.