Make sure you use the right address
You must use your child’s permanent address when applying. We can ask you to send us proof of address.
Where parents live separately, the address used should be where the child lives for the majority of the week. If care is shared equally both parents must agree which address will be used on the application.
We will investigate any discrepancies, and the school place can be withdrawn if fraudulent or misleading information has been given.
Moving House
You must tell us if you move house after submitting your application and before your child starts at their new school.
If you are planning on moving, you should apply using your current address and let us know when you’ve moved.
Applications for children of UK Service Personnel
Applications for children of service personnel with a confirmed posting to the area will be considered before the move. Where possible an application will be included in the normal round.
An official letter, such as a posting notice or letter of support from the commanding officer should be sent to Calderdale. This should include the relocation date and the unit postal address.
Until a fixed address is available, the unit postal address will be used and a school place allocated accordingly.
Calderdale will not refuse a child of UK service personnel a place because they do not currently live in the area. It is also not permitted to reserve places for these children.
Children will be considered as siblings if any brother or sister (including step/half siblings living at the same address) have been formally offered and accepted a place at the school. This will not apply if the sibling is in their final year at the school.
All applications will be dealt with in accordance with these admission arrangements.
Applications for children from overseas
If you live outside the UK and are planning to move to Calderdale, you can apply for a school place. You must check that they have a right of abode, or the conditions of their immigration status allow them to access state-funded education.
You must use your international address until your child arrives in Calderdale.
For more information see school admissions for children who live overseas.
Deciding which schools to preference
The Education Act 2002 and School Admissions Regulations 2012 requires every local authority to operate a Co-ordinated Admissions Scheme for children transferring from primary to secondary school.
The scheme ensures every child living in the area, who’s applied in the normal round, receives only one school place offer.
National offer day for pupils starting secondary school in September 2026 is 2 March 2026. For pupils starting primary school, it is 16 April 2026.
Calderdale’s co-ordinated admissions scheme treats all parental preferences equally. The schools must be listed in order of preference. If a child is eligible for a place at more than one school, only one offer will be made. This will be at the highest preference school for which they are eligible. To clarify, being listed as a first preference does not guarantee priority; as oversubscription criteria determines the allocation of places.
Parents should read Oversubscription criteria for Calderdale Secondary Schools/Academies or Primary School oversubscription criteria very carefully before expressing their preferences. This details how priority will be determined for applications to a school if there are more applications than places available.
In line with the scheme, we will send details of preferences for out of area schools to other local authorities. Similarly, all other local authorities will send details of preferences for Calderdale schools to Calderdale Council.
The full Scheme can be read on our Admission process pages.
Attend open evenings
Secondary School Open Evenings for September 2026 entry
| School | Open evening |
|---|---|
| The North Halifax Grammar School | Tuesday 24 June 2025 5-8pm |
| The Crossley Heath School | Thursday 26 June 2025 5-8pm |
| Trinity Academy Halifax | Thursday 11 September 2025 |
| Trinity Academy Grammar | Wednesday 17 September 2025 |
| Lightcliffe Academy | Thursday 18 September 2025 |
| Ravenscliffe High School | Tuesday 23 September 2025 |
| Park Lane Academy | Wednesday 24 September 2025 |
| Ravenscliffe High School | Thursday 25 September 2025 |
| Rastrick High School | Thursday 25 September 2025 |
| Todmorden High School | Thursday 25 September 2025 |
| The Halifax Academy | Wednesday 1 October 2025 |
| Brighouse High School | Thursday 2 October 2025 |
| Calder High School | Thursday 2 October 2025 |
| The Brooksbank School | Thursday 9 October 2025 |
| Ryburn Valley High School | Thursday 16 October 2025 |
Primary School Open Days
Please visit the individual school websites for Primary School Open Days.
Further information
Provision for Children with Special Educational Needs
For more specific information on Primary to Secondary school transfers for children with an EHCP please visit Transfers between phases of education with an EHCP.
Children Looked After
The School Admissions Code states the highest priority must be given to looked after children and previously looked after children. This includes children who appear to have been in care outside England and ceased to be so because of being adopted. Previously looked after children are children who were looked after but are now adopted or subject to a child arrangements or special guardianship order.
Feeder Status
Some Secondary Schools include primary feeder schools as part of their oversubscription criteria. A school will only be considered as a feeder, if the child is on roll from the first day of Year 6 until Offer Day.
Check how your child will travel to school
Find out more about Home to School Transport.