Bolton secondary school place figures on National Offer Day 2026

Yesterday, Monday, was National Offer Day, meaning pupils in their final year of primary school have discovered where they will spend the next five years of their education.

The proportion of pupils receiving their first choice is the highest in three years, at nearly 87%. Overall, 97% of Year 6 pupils were offered one of their preferred choices.

Bolton Council’s Executive Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Cllr Martin Donaghy, said: “An offer has been made to every child who has applied for a place in Bolton.”

More pupils have received their first choice this year, with the figure now standing at 86.7% (3,688).

Eight per cent (341) received their second preference.

First-choice allocations are up by just over 100 compared with last year, while second preferences are down by around 100.

For third preference, 2.2% (93) of Year 6 pupils received this outcome, down by 13 compared with last year.

Pupils with no preference accounted for 3.1% (131), a decrease of nearly 70 from last year.

Cllr Donaghy added: “These figures reflect the hard work of the council and local schools to increase both the number and variety of places on offer.”

The total number of pupils was lower this year, at 4,253 — down by 72 from 2025, which had also seen a decline compared with 2024.

Parents or carers wishing to appeal a decision must contact the school’s admission authority, which is responsible for organising the appeal panel.

Details of a school’s admission authority can be found on the local council’s website.

The panel is independent and considers the case presented by both the admission authority and the parent before deciding whether the school should admit the child.

The deadline for appeals is Monday, March 30.

Decisions by the appeal panel are binding — if an appeal is upheld, the admission authority must offer the child a place at the school.