Region

Schools in East of England

2,567 state-funded schools across 11 local authorities. The share of secondary applicants offered their first choice in September 2026 ranged from 75% in Thurrock to 94%.

Secondary applicants offered their first choice, September 2026 Harder 75%94% Easier

Where is a first-choice secondary place hardest to get?

DfE · Sept 2026 entry

Thurrock 75%
Hertfordshire 77%
Southend-on-Sea 78%
Luton 83%
Peterborough 83%
Essex 83%
Cambridgeshire 88%
Bedford 91%
Central Bedfordshire 91%
Suffolk 93%
Norfolk 94%

Local authorities compared

Medians are of schools, not pupils

Sorted by the median secondary school's applications per place for September 2026, highest first.

11 local authorities in East of England. Sources: DfE applications and offers, key stage 2 and 4 results; Ofsted.
Local authority	Secondary per place	First choice	Attainment 8	KS2 expected	Report cards
Hertfordshire	3.0	77%	49.4	67%	66
Essex	2.8	83%	45.6	66%	63
Southend-on-Sea	2.7	78%	51.2	61%	7
Thurrock	2.6	75%	46.5	69%	7
Peterborough	2.2	83%	46.7	63%	7
Luton	2.0	83%	47.2	67%	10
Bedford	1.8	91%	44.4	58%	15
Central Bedfordshire	1.8	91%	43.2	57%	18
Norfolk	1.6	94%	44.6	57%	58
Suffolk	1.6	93%	43.6	60%	45
Cambridgeshire	1.6	88%	49.0	62%	37