Admissions
Priestlands is an over-subscribed comprehensive school with a school community of about 1240 students. We enjoy a high reputation locally and nationally as a school with a very good academic record.
We recognise that choosing a school for your child is an important decision and hope that our website captures the positive atmosphere and ethos of Priestlands.
The majority of our students join us at the beginning of Year 7, aged 11 or 12, from our linked primary schools. Transition from primary to secondary school is an exciting time for all, although we understand some may feel anxiety about the change. We work closely with students and parents to ensure that everyone settles quickly into school life at Priestlands. The result is a caring and happy community, allowing students not only to achieve excellent academic standards, but also developing in them the self belief needed to become responsible young adults.
Admissions after the start of September for Year 7, and at all times for other year groups, are managed by Priestlands. To apply, please complete the Priestlands School Application Form and read the accompanying guidance notes. Our Admissions Policy provides further information. Links to both documents can be found on this page.
Applications for admission in the main round, which is the transition from Year 6 to Year 7, are managed by the Local Authority (Hampshire Admissions Team).
Parents of children in Year 6 will receive information about the application process from their child’s current primary school. Year 6 children attending independent schools but living in Hampshire will need to contact the Hampshire Admissions Team on 0300-555-1377. Year 6 children living outside Hampshire will need to contact their own Local Authority Admissions Team. Parents and carers are informed of places allocated by the Local Authority on the national offer day which will be 3rd March 2025. Applications for places in Year 7 in September 2025 that arrive on or after 3rd March will continue to be managed by the Hampshire Admissions Team until the end of August.
If your child currently attends Year 6 in a primary or junior school, you will need to make an application for admission to Year 7 in a secondary school, to start in September 2025. The deadline for applications is midnight on 31 October 2024.
In Hampshire residents should apply online (see details below). If you do not wish to apply online, paper forms will be available from your child's primary school or the County Admissions Team on 0300-555-1377. Completed forms should be returned to your child's primary school or directly to the County Admissions Team at the address provided on the form. If you need help applying, please visit your child's primary school or call the Admissions Team. If you are resident outside Hampshire, you will need to apply for a place through your own Local Authority.
Timeline of application process for admission to Year 7 in September 2025
16 September 2024- online application system opens. All information about applying for a place is available on the County website at www.hants.gov.uk/educationandlearning/admissions, where you can also apply online.
31 October 2024 (by midnight) - Closing date for secondary school applications.
Parents resident in Hampshire (not including Portsmouth or Southampton) must submit their online form or return the paper form to a Hampshire County Council school by this date.
It is very important that your application is submitted by midnight on 31 October 2024. Every year children miss out on a place at their parents' preferred school because applications are submitted late. Late applications will be considered after all on-time applications unless there are exceptional circumstances that warrant consideration.
3 January 2025 - Final date for changes to on-time applications
If you provide evidence to the Admissions Team of a significant change of circumstances (usually a change of address) you may make a change to an on-time application until this date. Such evidence must be provided in writing by 6 January 2024. No changes can be made after this date.
3 March 2025 - Offer date for on-time applicants
On-time applicants will be able to log into the online system to view their application. They will also receive notification by email. Parents who submitted paper applications will be sent a letter by second class post on 3 March 2025.
13 March 2025
Late applications received on or after 1 November 2024 up to and including 2 March 2025 will be considered.
14 March 2025
Late applications received on or after 3 March 2025 will be considered and waiting lists will be established for oversubscribed schools. Any available places will be offered from the waiting list by the Admissions team. Late applicants who applied before 3 March 2025 will be notified of the outcome of their application.
3 March - 31 August 2025
The Admissions team will continue to process and send outcomes for all late applications and make offers from waiting lists as places become available.
'In-year' applications: We will send you information and enrolment forms to complete for your child. These must be completed and submitted to us no later than the date your child starts at Priestlands.
'Main round' applications: Either at the end of the Spring term or the beginning of the Summer term we will communicate by email with all parents of students who have been successful in their application to join Priestlands, to give further information on the transition process.
Our transition page provides further information.
All school transport is arranged by the Hampshire transport team and parents must apply for transport to school through the Hampshire online Transport Portal. Please click on the link below which will take you to their website where you will find information on eligibility and the link to the application portal:
https://www.hants.gov.uk/educationandlearning/schooltransport