In September, families across East Devon will be preparing for a new school year. For parents of children in Year 6, it is also time to make the important decision about secondary education.
School open events are a valuable first step. They give prospective pupils and their families the chance to look around, meet staff and students, hear from the headteacher and get a feel for daily life at a school. Dates and formats vary, so do check individual school websites for the latest details of open evenings, daytime visits and guided tours.
In Devon, applications for secondary school places open on September 1 (Image: Getty Images)
For children due to start Year 7 in September 2027, Devon County Council's online application window opens on September 1, 2026, and closes on October 31, 2026. Families can name up to three state-school preferences, in order. Secondary-school offers will be issued on national Offer Day, on Monday, March 1, 2027.
A school visit can help families compare practical matters such as travel, facilities, curriculum and pastoral support, plus the less tangible question of whether a child feels comfortable and excited about the school.
It is sensible to research each school before applying. Check the school's own website for admission arrangements, open-event dates, prospectuses and transport information. Read the latest inspection report at Ofsted. View performance data and school information through the Government's Compare School Performance service. Search Devon school information at devon.gov.uk/schools.
Many Devon schools give admissions priority to children living within their designated, or catchment, area. However, living in a catchment area does not guarantee a place: schools have limited capacity and each has published oversubscription criteria.
Some schools set their own admissions arrangements, while others do not use a catchment area. Colyton Grammar School, for example, is among the Devon schools listed as having no admissions catchment or designated area. Families should always read the relevant school's admissions policy before making their choices.
To find the designated school area for a home address, visit Devon County Council's school designated areas page. The council currently provides maps and information for the 2025/26, 2026/27 and 2027/28 academic years.
Catchment areas can also be relevant to home-to-school transport, but transport eligibility is separate from admissions. In general, Devon County Council says free transport may be available where a child attends the nearest available secondary school and lives more than three miles away, subject to the council's policy and individual circumstances.
While applications for secondary schools open on September 1, the online system for primary school applications for Reception places in September 2027 opens on November 15, 2026, and closes at midnight on January 15, 2027. Your child's school place will be confirmed on April 16, 2027.
For further information, call the Devon education helpline on 0345 155 1019 or email [email protected]. For online applications, visit https://www.devon.gov.uk/children-families-education/education/school-admissions/.
Good preparation makes the return to school much easier (Image: Getty Images)
Key Dates for East Devon School Applications 2027