Applying for a Year 7 place in secondary school for September 2026

The easiest and quickest way to apply is online at: https://www.northnorthants.gov.uk/secondary-school-places Applications opened on 10th September 2025. You will need to register using an 
email address. Applications must be made by 31^st October 2025 (the closing date).   Applications received after this time and date will be late and will only be considered after the on-time applications have been dealt with by North Northants County Council.

National Offer Day  – 2nd March 2025

On 2nd March 2025 you will find out if your child has been offered a place at Kettering Science Academy for September 2026 entry into Year 7.  

Following the offer of a place at Kettering Science Academy, you will shortly receive a welcome pack containing important information about the school. This pack will include details about:

• The structure of the school day

• What life is like as a student at KSA

• Expectations for behaviour and learning

• Our uniform policy

It will also contain an Information Booklet to complete and return to the School Office.

Our staff will be visiting students in their primary schools to begin introducing them to life at KSA. Later in the academic year, students will be invited to attend a Transition Day here at KSA. This is a valuable opportunity to meet key members of staff, explore the school, and experience a typical day, helping them to feel more confident and prepared for September.

We want you and your child to feel informed, welcomed, and excited about joining the KSA community. Our aim is to support a smooth and successful transition to secondary school for every family.

We understand that moving from primary to secondary school is both an exciting and sometimes challenging time for students and parents/carers alike. We are committed to ensuring that every child starts their secondary journey with confidence. We work closely with primary schools and Year 6 teachers to ensure we receive the key information needed to support your child’s learning and wellbeing from day one.

At KSA, we guarantee your child a high-quality education over the next seven years, focused on both academic excellence and personal development. There are many reasons why students enjoy being part of our school community, including:

• Pupils speak warmly about their supportive teachers.

• The learning environment is positive and encourages achievement.

• Students feel safe and valued, and know that teachers will act quickly to resolve any issues.

• A wide range of after-school clubs and enrichment opportunities help pupils explore new interests and develop confidence.

• Pupils take pride in their school and show respect for the community they are part of.

We look forward to welcoming you and your child to KSA and beginning this exciting journey together.

Key Contacts 

If you have any questions – please wait to receive the pack and then, if all your questions are not answered, please contact us below.

enquiries@ketteringscienceacademy.org

Special Educational Needs Co-ordinator – Ms Nicola Redmayne-Addison,  nicola.redmayne@ketteringscienceacademy.org

We look forward to meeting your children and yourselves very soon.

Admissions Arrangements – What happens after National Offer Day

Accepting Your Child’s Place

If your child has been allocated a place at Kettering Science Academy, we look forward to welcoming them. There is no need to confirm acceptance unless requested by the Local Authority, but we encourage you to get in touch if you have any questions about starting with us.

If You Wish to Decline the Offer

If you have decided not to accept the place, please inform North Northamptonshire Council (NNC) as soon as possible so that the place can be offered to another child.

Requesting to Join a Waiting List

If your child was not allocated a place at Kettering Science Academy but you would like them to attend, you can request to have their name added to our waiting list. This process is managed by North Northamptonshire Council. Waiting lists are ranked according to the school’s admissions criteria rather than the date of application.

How to Appeal a School Allocation Decision

If your child was not offered a place at Kettering Science Academy and you would like to appeal, you can do so by following the appeals process managed by North Northamptonshire Council. Appeals must be submitted through the council’s online appeal form: https://northamptonshire-self.achieveservice.com/service/Make_an_appeal_for_a_school_place_NNC

If you need a paper form, you can request one from the Kettering Science Academy office and post it to the Local Authority.

Appeals need to be submitted           ​

• Secondary school: TBC by Local Authority
• Sixth form: Where offers of places are conditional upon GCSE examination results, appeals for admission to 6th forms cannot be heard until after GCSE results are known.

Late appeals: No deadline

For full details on the appeals process, including deadlines and guidance, please visit the North Northamptonshire Council Appeals Process.

If your child is already at secondary school and wishes to move to Kettering Science Academy, you will need to make an in-year application instead. 

Arrangements for children with an education, health and care (EHC) plan or a statement of special educational needs

​If your child has an Education, Health and Care (EHC) Plan or a statutory statement of special educational needs (SEN), please see the NCC special educational needs (SEND) page for information on how to apply as there is a different process for these applications.

If you have any questions regarding your child’s allocation or the admissions process at Kettering Science Academy, please contact us directly at enquiries@ketteringscienceacademy.org. We are happy to assist you.