The application process for children born between 1 September 2009 and 31 August 2010 will begin on 1 September 2020. If your child was born between these dates please read the following information carefully and ensure you have submitted your online application by 31 October 2020.

We would urge all parents to read through the starting secondary school information online. If you are unable to do this, a copy of the Transfer to Secondary School 2021.pdf information booklet can be downloaded.

Full details of Merton's admission arrangements can be found on our website, however the information provided on these pages contains everything you need in order to make an application.

Testing arrangements for selective schools

In response to a range of COVID-19 related issues which make early autumn admissions testing undesirable and impractical, many schools who test for a child's ability or aptitude have decided to postpone admission tests until later in the autumn term.

This will affect applicants applying for selective schools in neighbouring boroughs who will not find out their child's test score until after the closing date for applications.

Despite these changes, parents should still register their child for tests by published deadlines and submit their common application form by the national closing date, 31 October 2020.

If you are a Merton resident and you wish to make changes to your preferences following receipt of test results, please email admissions@merton.gov.uk before 10 December 2020.  Please clearly state your new preference order – naming all schools you wish to apply for and in what order (up to six preferences). Changes to preferences after this date will only be considered after places are offered on 1 March 2021.

If you have questions about test arrangements, please check relevant school websites, or contact the school directly.

Open events

Due to the current situation regarding COVID-19, Merton schools have decided to replace their traditional open evenings with virtual events. Please check each school's website for up to date information.

The following table gives the information currently available together with the website address for each school.

Open evening dates for schools outside Merton are available from individual school websites.

Important dates

The key dates for the Transfer to Secondary process can be found in the following table.

Please ensure that you meet the date for submitting your online application. Submitting a late application could seriously jeopardise your chances of being offered a place at one of your preferred schools.