National Offer Day 2026: Find out how many Year 6 pupils in the Black Country were accepted to their top choice secondary school

The long-awaited day is a major milestone for many young learners across the country, as it marks their first steps into post-primary school education and sets the foundation for their educational development for the years to come.

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As part of the day, councils across the UK release overall figures showing the percentage of students who attained their first choice slots for secondary school, boasting their high figures and showing their young learners' dedication to education.

This year, Walsall, Sandwell and Wolverhampton have boasted high figures, with more than 90% of learners being offered the secondary school of their choice, and more than 70% being granted their first choice overall. 

See below our comprehensive list of acceptance rates across each Black Country region.

Wolverhampton

Figures remain high in Wolverhampton this year, with 94 per cent of students securing a place at one of their preferred secondary schools overall. 

The new figures mark a two per cent rise since 2025, with the council registering that 92 per cent of youngsters were offered places in the year.

Councillor Jacqui Coogan, Wolverhampton Council's cabinet member for children, young people and education, said: "We understand how important getting into the right school is to pupils and their parents and carers, and we want as many of our young people as possible to secure a place at one of their preferred schools. 

"We're continuing to see improved outcomes for children and young people across the board, from our very youngest pupils to those heading into further education, employment or training for the first time. 

"I am pleased with the high number of pupils who have achieved a place at their first-preferred school or one of their preferred schools, and I am sure they will be looking forward to making the transition to secondary education later this year."

Parents of children due to start secondary schools this autumn who haven't applied yet should contact the council's school admissions team on 01902 551122 or by emailing [email protected]

Sandwell

Sandwell Council have remained fairly steady this year, with new figures showing that 92.57 per cent of students achieved one of their three choices. 

Of that 92.57 per cent, 79.28 per cent of children were granted spots at their first choice schools, 10.07 per cent at second choice schools, and 6.91 per cent at third choice. 

The figures mimic those of 2025, where 79.9 per cent of students landed their first preference, 9.5 per cent were offered their second choices, and 3.4 per cent were given their third choice. 

Sandwell Council have been approached for comment on the latest figures.

Walsall

In Walsall, 94 per cent of students achieved their preferred secondary school locations, with a total of 3,899 applications being received on time.

Of those, 3038 students received their first preference (77.9 per cent), 393 received their second preference (10.1 per cent), and 146 (3.7 per cent) their third preference.

The figures are similar to those of 2025, where a total of 94 per cent of pupils were granted their first three choices, with a total of 3005 of those applications (76.6 per cent) received their first preference, while 469 (12 per cent) landed a spot at their second-choice school, and 130 (3.3 per cent) got their third preference.

Councillor Mark Statham, portfolio holder for children's families and lifelong learning, said: "Today is a really important day for children and their families, and we’re delighted to have been able to offer more than 90% of them a place at a school they hoped for. 

"We continue to encourage parents and carers to submit applications on time and to use all five preferences to avoid disappointment, and it’s been great to see families responding so positively to this advice.

"In 2025, 91% of our schools were judged ‘Good’ or better by Ofsted - higher than the national average - and we are incredibly proud of this. It reflects the hard work happening across Walsall and gives families confidence that children are receiving a high-quality, well rounded education in our borough. 

"I want to extend a sincere thank you to all our schools for their dedication, their partnership, and their willingness to go above and beyond for children. And to every young person starting their secondary journey in September 2026, I wish you all the confidence and success as you take this next step."

Parents and carers can see where their child has been offered a place through the Walsall Council school admission portal.

Dudley

Dudley is also among those to register a rise in the number of pupils who received an offer to one of their three choices, with 97 per cent compared to 2025's 96 per cent. 

Among those, 87 per cent of students were offered their first choice, with nine per cent being offered their second choice, and 1.5 per cent their third choice. 

The figures show an overall rise in acceptance rates, with 84 per cent being offered their first choice in 2025, 10.5 per cent their second choice, and 1.5 per cent their third.

Councillor Wayne Little, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "We know today is an important milestone for children and their parents and carers as they prepare for high school.

"It's great that 87 per cent of children have been given their first choice, with 97 per cent having a place in one of their top three choices."

Of the 2026 figures, 2.5 per cent of students also received an alternative offer.