Everything you need to know about secondary school admissions — open days, the application process, Transition Year, and what happens if you don't get your first choice.
Find secondary schools near you →Secondary school admissions in Ireland follow a specific seasonal pattern. The key thing to know is that the process starts much earlier than most parents expect — typically 12 to 18 months before your child is due to start.
If your child is finishing 6th class in primary school and due to start secondary school in September 2026, you should be actively researching schools from September 2025 and submitting applications by January 2026 at the latest.
⚠️ Don't leave it until after Junior Certificate results. Secondary school places are filled well in advance. By the time Junior Cert results come out in the summer, most first-year places are long gone.
Ireland has several types of secondary school, each with a different management structure, ethos and funding model. Understanding the differences will help you choose the right school for your child.
Most secondary schools hold open days or open evenings in October and November. These are essential — visiting a school in person gives you a far better sense of the culture and environment than any brochure or website.
Pay attention to how students interact with staff and visitors — are they confident and welcoming? Look at noticeboards and displays for evidence of extra-curricular activity. Ask the principal or vice-principal directly about their approach to pastoral care, bullying and academic support. Listen to how staff talk about the school — pride and enthusiasm are good signs.
How many students go on to third level? What support is available for students who are struggling? Is Transition Year compulsory or optional? What extra-curricular activities are available? How does the school communicate with parents?
Bring your child to open days if at all possible. Their instinctive reaction to a school — whether they feel comfortable or uncomfortable — is valuable data. Secondary school is six years of their life and they should feel some ownership over the choice.
Unlike primary school, secondary school admissions in Ireland have become more structured following the Admissions to Schools Act 2018. Each school must publish a clear admissions policy and follow it consistently.
Start researching secondary schools in your area. Use Schoolfinder.ie to find schools near your home and check inspection reports and college progression data.
Most schools hold open evenings in October and November. Try to visit your top two or three choices in person.
Most secondary schools open applications in November. Check each school's website or contact them directly — dates vary significantly.
Most schools close applications in January or February. Apply to multiple schools simultaneously — there is no rule against this.
Schools typically issue offers in February or March. You usually have 2–3 weeks to accept. Accept your preferred offer promptly.
Secondary school starts in early September. Most schools hold an orientation day for new first years in late August or the first day back.
When a secondary school is oversubscribed, it must use the criteria set out in its admissions policy to decide who gets a place. The most common criteria are:
Tip: Check the admissions policy on Schoolfinder.ie before applying. Click "Admissions policy" on any school profile to see exactly what criteria the school uses and in what order.
Transition Year (TY) is an optional one-year programme between Junior Cycle and Senior Cycle — typically taken at age 15 or 16. It's one of the most distinctive features of the Irish secondary school system and is often cited by students as a highlight of their school experience.
TY is not focused on exams. Instead, it emphasises personal development, work experience, community involvement and exploring subjects in greater depth. Students typically do work placements, take part in projects and mini-companies, go on trips, and try subjects they might not otherwise encounter.
Not all schools offer TY, and some that do make it compulsory while others make it optional. It's worth asking about TY at open days — some families specifically choose schools based on their TY programme.
Research consistently shows that students who do Transition Year perform better in the Leaving Certificate and report higher wellbeing. The extra year of maturity makes a significant difference for many students.
The Leaving Certificate is the state examination taken at the end of secondary school, usually at age 17 or 18. It is the primary route to university and third-level education in Ireland through the CAO (Central Applications Office) system.
Students typically take 6–8 subjects at Leaving Cert level, including Irish and English (compulsory) and a mix of other subjects. Each subject can be taken at Higher or Ordinary level, with Higher level offering more points but being more demanding.
CAO points are calculated from a student's best six subjects, with Higher level subjects worth more points. Third-level courses have minimum points requirements that vary significantly — from under 200 points for some courses to 600+ for medicine and law at top universities.
There are three Leaving Certificate programmes: the Leaving Certificate Established (the standard programme), the Leaving Certificate Applied (a more practical, coursework-based programme for students who prefer a non-CAO pathway), and the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme (the standard programme with an additional vocational component).
If you're refused a place, immediately ask to be put on the school's waiting list. Places do become available as families move or change their minds — sometimes right up to and after school starts in September.
Under the Admissions to Schools Act 2018, you have the right to appeal a refusal to an independent appeals board. The school must give you a written reason for refusal. If the school hasn't followed its own admissions policy correctly, an appeal can succeed.
If you genuinely cannot find a secondary school place, contact the Department of Education. Every child in Ireland has a legal right to a school place and the Department is obliged to help.
Use Schoolfinder.ie to see all secondary schools within driving distance. A school slightly further away may have places available and could turn out to be an excellent choice.
Enter your Eircode to see the nearest secondary schools ranked by driving distance, with inspection reports, admissions policies and college progression data.
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