Starting secondary school
Primary to secondary transfer
All applicants will receive the outcome of their application via email. If you have been offered a school you must accept or decline your offer within two weeks.
How places were offered in Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster
To provide you with as much information as possible, details of how places were offered for all schools located in the Bi-borough area (Kensington and Chelsea, and Westminster) is provided in the document below.
If you are considering applying for further schools, you are advised to use this information to determine the likelihood of your child being offered a place.
The abbreviation ‘LAC’ is used throughout this document, this stands for Looked After Child and applies to children who are, or were, in the public care of a Local Authority (i.e. foster children), or were adopted from abroad.
Schools with vacancies or only a short waiting list
The document below includes details of schools that either have vacancies, or only a short waiting list. Schools in adjoining local areas are also included for ease of reference, If you wish to apply for further schools, you must contact your home local authority Admissions Team.
Late applications
The eAdmissions website is the recommended way to apply. The website is open for online applications until the middle of August.
Apply on the eAdmissions website
If you require a paper form, please contact the Admissions Team, contact details below.
Waiting lists and appeals
If your child was not offered their first preference school, they will be retained on the waiting list for any schools listed higher than the one they were offered. Waiting list positions for the following schools will be available from 31 March from the Admissions Team:
- All Saints Catholic College
- Chelsea Academy
- Holland Park School
- Kensington Aldridge Academy
For other schools you are advised to contact the school directly, or the borough in which they are located, for further advice about the waiting list process.
There is a right to an independent appeal for any school that has been unable to offer a place. Please consult your formal outcome letter for more information about this process.
Resources
Our handy guides provide information on the admissions process.
Secondary School Admissions Hints and Tips 2025
This leaflet answers the most frequently asked questions, including:
- all the visiting dates and open evenings for Kensington and Chelsea secondary schools
- dates for ability banding and aptitude tests which some schools run
Secondary School Admissions brochure 2025
Brochure includes:
- the process of applying for schools and what happens after
- over subscription criteria for all Kensington and Chelsea secondary schools
- how places were offered in the previous year
- useful information to assist in the transition from primary to secondary school
Further information
If you need a paper application form or further guidance, contact the Admissions Team on:
- telephone: 020 7745 6432 / 6433, Monday to Friday, 9am to 2pm
- email: [email protected]
Admissions and access to Education Service privacy notice
Read the Admissions and Access to Education Service privacy notice.