Applying for a secondary school place
For children born between 1 September 2012 and 31 August 2013, the application period for a secondary school place in September 2024 was from 1 September 2023 to 31 October 2023.
Applications received after the closing date are treated as late applications. This means there will be far less chance of your child being offered a place at the school you want.
Our admissions timetable shows you when to apply, and when you can find out your offer. More information on the application process is given in our school admissions brochure. Our page of download documents and forms also includes supplemental forms for religious schools.
You should complete your application in good time to have the best chance of getting a place at a school you would like your child to attend.
Apply online or return to your application
By applying online you will:
- get an email acknowledgement of your application
- be able to check which school place has been offered from 1 March 2024
To create a login account for school admissions, use the link below and select 'create an account'. Your login accounts for other Thurrock Council services are not affected.
School admissions applications
Online briefing sessions
We hosted 3 online briefing sessions on Thursday 14 September 2023 to explain the admissions process, answer questions and offer help to apply for a school place. Sessions did not promote any particular school but gave an overview of the whole process.
University Technical Colleges and Studio Schools
If your child was born between 1 September 2009 to 31 August 2010 and you would like them to start Year 10 in a University Technical College (UTC) or a Studio School in September 2024, you must apply between 1 September 2023 and 31 October 2023. You must complete an application even if you are applying for a place outside Thurrock. Go to our Year 10 admissions page for more information.
Home address
We normally process applications on the basis of the child's home address at the time of application and offer.
The home address is the address where the child is a permanent resident, or where the child is ordinarily resident. This is usually the address of the parent, or carer with parental responsibility. The adult with whom the child is ordinarily resident would receive Child Benefit for the child.
You can find your street in our list of school catchment areas – go to download documents and forms.
Late applications
Any application received after the closing date will be treated as a late application. We process late applications only after we have processed all the on-time applications. This means there will be far less chance of your child being offered a place at the school you want.
If you have already applied online you will not be able to make another application. Contact us if you feel you need to make another application, or to send evidence that your application was late due to exceptional circumstances.
Admissions appeals
If your child's school admission application is unsuccessful, you may wish to appeal against the decision. For advice on admission appeals, go to GOV.UK: Advice for parents and guardians on school admission appeals.
We do not provide an admissions appeals service.
You should check the website of the school for which you applied to find out who provides its admissions appeals service. If the appeals service is provided by Essex County Council, you can appeal online at Essex County Council: After your school offer. Otherwise, follow the guidance on the school’s website.