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Primary National Offer Day: what to expect and what to do next

Reception offers for September 2027 arrive on Friday 16 April. Most families get a school they chose. Here is what happens on the day, and the steps that follow.

Written by the Brainhub Editorial Team Cites published research Updated 31 Oct 2026 5 min read

Key takeaways

1. Why this week

If you applied for a Reception place by 15 January, your offer arrives on Friday 16 April 2027. The same day applies to children moving from infant to junior school.[2]

The news is usually good. The Department for Education’s latest figures show 98.7% of children in England were offered one of their preferred primary schools in 2026.[1]

2. What the figures say

Across England, 92.4% of children got their first-preference primary school in 2026. London is tighter, because more families apply for fewer places near popular schools.[1]

Area
Offered first-preference primary school, 2026 (DfE)
England
92.4%
Outer London
90.0%
Inner London
85.0%

3. What happens on the day

If you applied online, your council emails your offer. Bexley, for example, sends emails during the evening of 16 April. If you applied on paper, or are not offered any of your preferences, a letter comes by post.[3]

You get one offer: the highest preference on your form that could give your child a place. If none of your choices had room, the council offers another school with a space.

Can’t find the email?: Log in to your council’s admissions portal and check your junk folder before you worry.

4. Four steps after the offer

Every council sets its own dates, so check your offer letter. Hounslow’s 2027 timetable gives a typical pattern.[2]

Reply on time

Hounslow’s deadline is 30 April 2027, two weeks after offer day. Some councils treat a first-preference offer as accepted.

Accept the place

Accept it even if it was not your first choice, so your child is not left without a school.

Waiting lists

Accepting does not affect your place on waiting lists for schools you ranked higher.

Appeals

You can appeal for any school that refused a place. Hounslow’s 2027 appeal deadline is 18 May.

5. Getting ready for September

Whatever the offer, talk about the new school in a positive way and visit if you can. Short, happy routines at home, such as sharing a book each day and counting everyday things, help children start Reception feeling confident.

Read it. Reply. Then plan the next step.

Help before school starts: Our qualified teachers support early reading and number skills, online or in person. Book a free call.

Try it now

Test yourself on this page

Answer in your head first, then check.

  1. 1. When is primary National Offer Day in 2027?

  2. 2. What share of children in England got their first-choice primary school in 2026?

  3. 3. Does accepting an offer stop you joining a waiting list?

Your next steps

  • Find your council’s reply deadline and put it in the diary.
  • Check your junk folder and the council portal on the evening of 16 April.
  • Read up on waiting lists and appeals, just in case.

Sources

  1. Department for Education. Primary and secondary school applications and offers, academic year 2026/27 (June 2026). explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/primary-and-secondary-school-applications-and-offers/2026-27
  2. Hounslow Council. Application timetable for a new Reception place (September 2027 entry). hounslow.gov.uk/primary-school-admissions/application-timetable-new-reception-place
  3. Bexley Council. Primary school admissions 2027-28: offers of places. bexley.gov.uk/services/schools-and-education/primary-schools/admission-primary-schools-27-28/offers-places

This guide is general study advice. Every student is different. A teacher can help you work out what fits.