News

Schools Age Groups Update

Schools | 19th February 2026

As many of you will be aware the age groups in England are changing from the 1st April 2026 to the new even age groups. We published earlier this season that English Schools had decided to stay with the old age groups for the 2026 track and field season, before then moving to the new ones.

However, after consultation with England Athletics there has been a further change to some of the technical events as summarised below with exact specifications that can be found in the document at the bottom of the page.

Hurdles

Hurdles events will follow the new age groups and specifications in the following age groups - U16/Y9 & 10, U18/Y11 & 12, U19/Y13

Year 8s will not compete in these events at the English Schools Championships

Steeplechase

Steeplechase events will follow the old age groups (U17/Y10 & 11, U19/Y12 & 13) and specifications.

Throwing Events

All throwing events will remain as the old age groups (U15/Y8 & 9, U17/Y10 & 11, U19/Y12 & 13) but with slightly different weights.

Each age group will throw the weight of the older year group's new age group specification.

I.e. the U15 throwers will throw the weight for the new U16 age group and so on. (see attached specs at bottom of page for further info)

Triple Jump

Triple jump will continue with the old age groups (U15/Y8 & 9, U17/Y10 & 11, U19/Y12 & 13) however following the new UKA rules Year 8's cannot compete in triple jump at English Schools.

All other events

All other events will follow the old age groups (U15/Y8 & 9, U17/Y10 & 11, U19/Y12 & 13) for the 2026 track and field season.

English Schools Selection

We are aware that these changes may reduce opportunities for some athletes - particularly throwers in the bottom of their age groups and steeplechasers to achieve qualifying standards for English Schools which will be taken into consideration. There will be further guidance out closer to the time regarding selection criteria but it will mean that performances at the School's County Champs will be even more important than usual for qualifying purposes this year.