When to apply for a year 10 place
If you have a child born between 1 September 2011 and 31 August 2012, you can apply for a University Technical College (UTC) or a studio school for your child to start year 10 in September 2026.
When your child is a pupil in year 9, you have the right to apply for their admission to a UTC or studio school at the beginning of year 10.
These types of schools offer an alternative to mainstream secondary schools. They allow your child to study core GCSE subjects while also gaining qualifications in specialist areas that are not usually taught in most secondary schools.
This does not mean that you have to move your child to another school. For the majority of children, the school they are already attending will remain the most appropriate place for them to continue their education.
More information about year 10 admissions can be found in our schools admissions 2026 brochure.