Admissions explained
Before applying, look at the admissions policy of the school you want your child to go to. Please read the Admissions policies for Manchester schools. Or, go to your preferred school’s website.
There is no guarantee that we'll be able to offer a place at one of your preferred schools. If we can’t, we will make you an alternative offer for the closest school that has places left. This does not include William Hulme’s Grammar School Academy. It also does not include The King David High School.
If you want a school in another local authority (LA), you need to check the admissions policy for that school. You'll need to visit the appropriate LA's website.
Equal preference
Manchester operates an equal-preference system. This means all your preferences are looked at equally. It doesn't matter if you place them first, second, or lower. Putting a school first does not improve your chances of getting a place. If a school has more applications than places, then it uses its oversubscription criteria to decide who gets a place.
The oversubscription criteria are part of a school’s admission policy. If we can offer your child more than one school, we'll offer the one that was your higher choice.
We'll decide who gets places at the schools and academies that follow the Council’s admission policy. We will follow the oversubscription criteria set out in our school’s policy.
Voluntary-aided schools, some academies, free schools, and schools in other LA areas will tell us who they'll admit. They'll follow their own oversubscription criteria. You'll still need to apply to Manchester LA for these schools.
Waiting lists
Manchester has a waiting list for each community school and academy that is oversubscribed. The school keeps waiting lists in order of its oversubscription criteria. If a place opens up, the next child on the list gets it.
Voluntary-aided schools, some academies and free schools have their own waiting lists. They use their own oversubscription criteria. Where there are spaces, the LA will make an offer on behalf of the school.
A child’s position on a waiting list can move up or down. This happens as children get offers at other schools or move. The lists end in the autumn term. Then, we'll remove your child's details. If you still need a place at your preferred school, you'll need to reapply.