Hendon Town Hall
More than seven out of 10 children have been offered a place at their first-choice secondary school – above the London average - and nearly nine out of 10 have received one of their top three choices this year.
Figures published on National Secondary Admission Offer Day 2026 by the Pan London Admissions Board show that 73% of 3,998 Barnet pupils were offered a place at their first-preference school, compared to the London average of 70.5%.
The first-choice figures are slightly up on Barnet’s 2025 rates, when 72.5% were offered their first-choice place, while 89% were offered one of their top three choices in 2026 compared to 88.5% in 2025.
Barnet’s schools achieve some of the best results in the country, including all non-fee-paying secondary schools.
Over the last 10 years, students in Barnet have performed exceptionally well in their GCSEs, with the borough ranking fourth highest in the country based on Attainment 8 (2025).
A-Level results in Barnet in 2025 were again in the top 5% of the country, with 28% achieving at least two As and a B, ranking Barnet seventh in the country.
Cllr Pauline Coakley Webb, Cabinet Member for Family Friendly Barnet, said: “I am delighted almost nine out of 10 Barnet children have been offered a place at one of their preferred schools.
“Barnet continues to be one of the highest-performing areas in the country for GCSEs and A-Levels, with none of our schools judged by Ofsted below Good/Expected Standard in any area.
“We have some of the best schools in the country in Barnet, with pupils achieving consistently high results. We are proud of our record on education and will continue to support our excellent schools and teachers so that pupils from all backgrounds are able to reach their full potential.”