Parents often worry that a school will reject an application if it is listed second or third. This guide explains how equal preference works and how your council uses the order on your form.
How equal preference works
Each school considers the application under its published admission criteria without using its position on your form. A school cannot lower your child’s priority because you listed another school above it.
Your preference order matters when more than one school can offer a place. Your home council offers the available school that you ranked highest.
How to order your choices
List schools in your genuine order of preference. Do not move a realistic school above your favourite because you think it will improve the chance of receiving an offer.
- Put the school you most want first.
- Use all the preferences your council allows where they are useful to you.
- Include realistic alternatives that you would be prepared to accept.
- Do not list a school that your family would definitely refuse.
- Read the current admissions policy for every school.
- Identify which choices appear ambitious, realistic and safer.
- Put them in the order you genuinely prefer.
- Save a copy of your final preference order before submitting.
Keep the journey moving by comparing schools, checking deadlines and saving the guide that matches your route.
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