National Offer Day 2026: Results confirmed for secondary school offer day in Birmingham

A record number of Birmingham children have received their preferred secondary school places for 2026/27.

The data shows that most children entering secondary school this September have secured a place at one of their chosen schools, with a significant increase in first‑choice offers.

This year, 14,600 Birmingham pupils applied for a secondary school place. Despite a small decrease in overall applications, the picture for children receiving their preferred school is more positive than ever.

Key highlights for Birmingham pupils

• 97% of pupils were offered one of their six school preferences, an increase on last year.
• Nearly 76% secured their first-choice school, marking an improvement of nearly 2% from 2025.
• Only 2.5% of pupils were offered a school they had not listed as a preference, a decrease from last year.

What this means for local children

The increase in first‑preference offers means that more children will begin secondary school in an environment that feels familiar, supportive, and aligned with their interests and aspirations.

Research consistently shows that attending a preferred school can help ease the transition to secondary education, improving confidence, wellbeing, and long‑term attainment.

What’s been said?

Councillor Mick Brown, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families, said: “This is fantastic news for families across Birmingham. More children are receiving their first-choice secondary school, and that gives them the best possible start to the next stage of their education.

“Starting secondary school is a big moment and knowing you’re going to the school you hoped for brings real reassurance and excitement for pupils and their families. I want to thank our admissions team and our schools for their continued hard work and commitment to supporting Birmingham’s children.”