Moving on to Secondary School

We are very proud of the way that it prepares our children for secondary school and the strong relationships we have with the secondary schools around us. We make sure that the next step is an exciting one rather than a daunting one. 

For all children born from 1 September 2012 and 31 August 2013 inclusive, their parents/carers will need to apply for year 7 secondary school place for September 2024. All year 7 applications for September 2024 must be made through the family’s home local authority.​

For children living in Claypole, families must apply via Lincolshire County Council website: https://www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/school-admissions 

Before submitting a year 7 application we recommend all families read the Autumn edition of the local authorities ‘Starting Secondary School’ guide and find out information about the school you are interested in.  If possible, take a tour (even if it is a virtual one).

Remember, families must apply for a place, even if their child has a brother or sister attending the school.

To maximise your opportunities of getting a place at one of your preferred secondary schools name three schools with at least one being your local school.

11+ in Recent Years

In 2022/23:

• The majority of Y6’s who took the 11+, passed the 11+
• Almost all of the children were offered their first choice.
• A wide variety of schools were applied for (see below).

Scroll to the bottom for a sub-page with FAQ about the 11+

Which Schools could I be considering?

In the last two years, children have made applications to:

• Carres Grammar, Sleaford
• Kesteven & Sleaford Girls High School, Sleaford
• The King's School, Grantham
• KGGS, Grantham
• Sir William Robertson Academy, Lincoln
• Belvoir High, Bottesford, Leicestershire
• The Suthers School, Newark
• Newark Academy, Newark

Links to these school websites can be found in a link above.

Each individual child will suit a different secondary school, so it is really important when making your choice to be well informed but also to go and see for yourself.  What has suited one person in the past, may not suit another now.  Remember that each child's lived experience of school is unique.

All secondary schools offer open events (physical or virtual) where you can find out more about the school, meet some of the staff and get a flavour of what they have to offer.  These usually start towards the end of Year 5 and then into Year 6 too.

Some secondaries run transition/taster events for children whilst they are in Year 5 so that they have a chance to visit and take part in some activities.  These will be advertised through our school when information comes through.

It is also usually possible to arrange a private tour of the school on a normal school day.  This can be arranged by contacting the secondary school directly.  Please let us know you are going for a visit - this will always be an authorised absence.

Many children will want to go to the same school as their friends from, and certainly being happy at your new school is really important.  However, it is also important to remember that the vast majority of children will have made many new friends by the end of week 2 in the Autumn Term and may well have met up with people they know through outside clubs and activities.

How to apply

Applications for secondary school places usually open in early September in the year your child starts Year 6 and close at the end of October. Applications are made online through the Lincolnshire Admissions Page (see link above).

This means that it is important to start exploring your options during Year 5 so that you can make your final choice early in Year 6.

School Transport

You may be in a position to take your child to school each day, but if you are not then transport can be a significant factor.

If your child is of compulsory school age, they will get free school transport if they:

• live in Lincolnshire
• attend a school within the designated transport area (DTA) for their home address
• attend a school nearer to their home address than the DTA school
• attend a school we allocate because there were no places in nearer schools
• and, live:
• more than three miles away (secondary school)

Additionally some schools run their own free transport. You can find out more about transport here. If your child is starting secondary school in September, they may be eligible for school transport. If you think your child is eligible please apply for transport immediately once you have your offer of a school place. 

The customer service centre number is 01522 782030  
The telephone number for school transport is 01522 782020

For more information about the home to school transport policy and online applications please go to www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/schooltransport. Queries can be emailed to schooltransportapplications@lincolnshire.gov.uk.

Any other questions?

If you have any other questions about secondary school transition please do contact your child's class teacher and/or Mr Wells for more information and watch out for lots of information coming your way when your child is in Year 5.