First Choice Secondary School Places Reaches New High

The number of pupils receiving their first choice secondary school place is at a ten-year high across Tameside.

According to Tameside Council, the number of children starting Year 7 from the September 2026 term has seen almost 88% of families being offered their favoured school – the highest figure since 2016.

And the figure rises to almost 95% for families receiving their first or second choice secondary school, up on last year and again at the highest rate since 2016.

Tameside has 16 mainstream secondary schools, with 3,199 places allocated to pupils entering Year 7 this September.

Applications for secondary school places closed in October 2025, with families indicating their top three choices in order of preference.

Councillor Leanne Feeley, Tameside Council Executive Member for Culture and Lifelong Learning, said: “I’m delighted that more families have been able to gain their first choice of school in Tameside, and I would like to thank all those involved in the admissions process from Tameside Council, as well as our secondary schools, for their hard work to make this happen.

“These figures are the highest they have been in ten years and we are dedicated to ensuring as many families as possible can obtain their preferred choice. We will continue to work hard for our young people to meet these requests where possible.”

The offers for primary school places for children starting in September 2026 will be received by families on 16 April. Applications for places for children born between 1 September 2021 and 31 August 2022 closed on 15 January this year.

More information about schools and education can be found at www.tameside.gov.uk/Education