YEAR 7 ADMISSIONS AND FAIR BANDING
Thank you for your interest in Gateacre School. We are confident that our inclusive community and ambitious curriculum will provide your child with an exceptional educational experience. To apply for a Year 7 place, all applications are processed through the official Liverpool School Admissions website.
Please note that parents applying from outside the Liverpool Local Authority should apply through their own Local Authority.
YEAR 7 ADMISSIONS: SEPTEMBER 2026
Please be aware that the deadline for Year 7 admissions for September 2026 has now passed.
Open Events
The best way to truly understand what makes Gateacre School special, is to experience it for yourself. We warmly invite you to join us at one of our upcoming open events to see our vibrant school community in action.
Upcoming Events
Please see the details below for our open events this year. For more information about any upcoming event, please head over to the School Calendar page, follow the link below.
WHAT TO EXPECT AT OUR EVENTS
Year 6 Open Mornings
Experience an authentic day in the life of a Gateacre student. Our student ambassadors will lead you on a guided tour, giving you an inside peek at normal lessons and the opportunity to see our passionate teachers in action. You will also hear from a member of our leadership team and have the chance to ask our Admissions Team any questions you may have.
Year 6 Open Evenings
This is your chance to get hands-on with life at our thriving Liverpool school. From creative workshops to academic challenges, you will be immersed in the engaging and empowering atmosphere that defines Gateacre School. Whether you're acting out Shakespeare, inventing smoothies, or tackling an Apprentice-style project, you'll get a true taste of our vibrant curriculum. You will also hear from a member of our leadership team and have the chance to ask our Admissions Team any questions you may have.
Sixth Form Open Evening: 'Step Up To Sixth Form'
Our Sixth Form Open Evening is the perfect opportunity to meet our Sixth Form Leadership team. We will provide all the information you need to make an informed decision about your future, including a detailed look at transitioning into Sixth Form, the wide range of A-level and extracurricular options on offer, and the university support available for those applying to competitive courses.
We look forward to welcoming you to Gateacre! If you have any questions before you visit, feel free to get in touch.
Appeals - September 2026 entry
We understand that receiving a school place offer that wasn't your first choice can be disappointing. If your child is not offered a place at your preferred school, you have a statutory right to appeal the decision to an Independent Appeal Panel.
How to Appeal
Before beginning your application, please read our School Admission Appeals Guide for Parents. This guide provides essential information on:
- Preparing your case: How to structure your reasons for the appeal.
- Supporting evidence: Which documents can strengthen your case.
- The Hearing: What to expect from the panel and how they reach a decision.
Download: School Admission Appeals Guide for Parents (PDF, 546 KB)
Important Information for Uploading Documents
- File Size: Total uploads must not exceed 10MB.
- Format: You can upload images or scanned documents directly from your computer, tablet, or mobile device.
Key Dates & Deadlines (2026)
Secondary Schools
- Deadline to submit appeal: 29th March 2026
- Hearing dates: Held throughout May, June, and July 2026
Note on Timelines: We aim to hold all hearings within 40 school days of the submission deadline. While we may occasionally need to schedule hearings later due to exceptional circumstances, we will always provide you with at least 10 days' notice of your specific hearing date and time.
The Hearing Process
All appeals are currently held remotely via video link through our professional clerking service. This ensures a fair and accessible process for all families.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if my appeal is unsuccessful?
If the panel does not grant your appeal, we will write to you to explain the decision in detail and outline your remaining options, such as staying on a waiting list or applying for other schools.
Can I appeal for more than one school?
Yes. You may appeal for multiple schools at the same time. However, please note that you are only entitled to one appeal per school within a single academic year.
Need help? Contact our Admissions Team - gateacreadmissions@gateacre.org
APPLICATION PROCESS & FAIR BANDING ASSESSMENT
Our published admission number for Year 7 entry in September 2026 is 240 students. We highly recommend you read our full admission arrangements before applying.
How to Apply: You must apply through your local education authority by naming Gateacre School as one of your choices on the Secondary Common Application Form.
Fair Banding Assessment & Supplementary Form: To ensure a balanced intake of students across the full ability range, all Year 6 students who name Gateacre School as a preference are required to sit our fair banding assessment.
- This is not a pass or fail test.
- However, students who do not sit the assessment will only be considered for a place after all students who have taken the assessment.
To register for the assessment, you must complete our online supplementary form by the closing date of 31st October 2025.
Paper copies of the supplementary form are available from the school reception if you do not have internet access.
ASSESSMENT DETAILS AND KEY DATES
The Fair Banding Assessment
- The assessment is a non-verbal reasoning paper.
- Free practice resources can be downloaded from the GL Assessment website.
Assessments will be held at Gateacre School. Parents and carers will be notified of their child’s specific assessment time via email.
Important Dates
- Fair Banding Assessment Dates: Saturday, 4th October; Monday 6th October; Monday 10th November; Saturday 15th November 2025.
- Closing date for all forms: Friday, 31st October 2025.
- National Offer Day: Monday, 2nd March 2026.
Admissions Policy: For full details of our admissions policy, please visit the Gateacre School policies page.
For further assistance, please contact us: