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Schools in South West

2,372 state-funded schools across 15 local authorities. The share of secondary applicants offered their first choice in September 2026 ranged from 80% in Torbay to 98%.

Secondary applicants offered their first choice, September 2026 Harder 80%98% Easier

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

DfE · Sept 2026 entry
  1. Torbay 80%
  2. Bristol, City of 84%
  3. Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole 86%
  4. Gloucestershire 87%
  5. Bath and North East Somerset 88%
  6. South Gloucestershire 89%
  7. Swindon 91%
  8. Plymouth 92%
  9. Somerset 92%
  10. Devon 93%
  11. Wiltshire 94%
  12. North Somerset 95%
  13. Cornwall 97%
  14. Dorset 98%

Local authorities compared

Medians are of schools, not pupils

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

15 local authorities in South West. Sources: DfE applications and offers, key stage 2 and 4 results; Ofsted.
Local authoritySecondary per placeFirst choiceAttainment 8KS2 expectedReport cards
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole2.786%47.464%15
Bristol, City of2.284%46.060%28
South Gloucestershire2.289%44.663%25
Gloucestershire2.187%47.363%45
Bath and North East Somerset2.188%48.164%11
Swindon2.091%45.462%10
Plymouth2.092%45.664%18
Torbay1.880%45.160%7
North Somerset1.795%47.264%17
Cornwall1.797%45.062%41
Dorset1.698%43.254%26
Wiltshire1.694%45.562%30
Devon1.493%45.961%44
Somerset1.492%44.060%34
Isles of Scilly––53.20