Stage 1

Delivered from a local venue on or by:

• Key Stage 3 - Tuesday 17th November 2026
• Key Stage 4 – Wednesday 18th November 2026
• Key Stage 5 – Thursday 19th November 2026

Stage 2

Delivered from a regional venue on or by:

• Key Stage 3 – Tuesday 2nd February 2027
• Key Stage 4 - Wednesday 3rd February 2027
• Key Stage 5 – Thursday 4th February 2027

Stage 3 Finals

Hosted at TBC by England squash:

• Mixed – Monday 1st March 2027
• Key Stage 3 – Tuesday 2nd March 2027
• Key Stage 4 – Wednesday 3rd March 2027
• Key Stage 5 – Thursday 4th March 2027

• Scoring System
  • Our inclusive Every Point Counts scoring system provides the perfect platform for new players to the sport whilst creating a positive team spirit.
• Format
  • The championships run across three stages.
  • All teams in Division 1 are guaranteed to compete in two stages of the competition.
  • Division 2 teams participate only in Stage 1, with matches scheduled as locally as possible.
• Teams
  • Each Division 1 team consists of 5 male or 5 female players or 4 players (2 girls and 2 boys) for mixed teams.
  • Division 2 teams consist of 3 players.
• Gender Policy
  • If a school does not enter a female team into the championships, but there is a female player/s at the school who wishes to participate, then that player may compete in the boy’s team, provided they play in merit order. In the event that a girl/s compete in the boys team, the ratio of merit order must 4/1 boys to girls in any given fixture.

For further details of this year’s format, check out our Tournament Guide.

Safeguarding and Welfare Appointments

Safeguarding and Welfare officers will be present across this competition and will be confirmed in due course.

View our National Schools Rules and Regulations here.

This year's National Schools Competition will offer tournaments in the following age categories;

Boys

• National Schools Key Stage 5 Championship for Boys for years 13 and below.
• National Schools Key Stage 4 Championship for Boys for years 11 and below.
• National Schools Key Stage 3 Championship for Boys for years 9 and below.

Girls

• National Schools Key Stage 5 Championship for Girls for years 13 and below.
• National Schools Key Stage 4 Championship for Girls for years 11 and below.
• National Schools Key Stage 3 Championship for Girls for years 9 and below.

Mixed Team*

• National Schools Key Stage 5 Championship for Mixed Team (2 girls and 2 boys) for years 13 and below.
• National Schools Key Stage 4 Championship for Mixed Team (2 girls and 2 boys) for years 11 and below.
• National Schools Key Stage 3 Championship for Mixed Team (2 girls and 2 boys) for years 9 and below.

*A mixed team, 4 players, will consist of a minimum of 1 boy and 2 girls, the 4th player can be either a second boy or a third girl, played in strict order of ability. Boys and Girls can play against each other in this format.

In Division 2, mixed teams must consist of a minimum 1 boy and 1 girl, 3rd player can be either a boy or girl.

National Schools Regulations

Key Regulations:

1.7:

A player can compete in a maximum of 2 events.

E.g. KS3 Boys and KS4 Boys or KS3 Girls and KS3 Mixed.

1.8:

Division 1: Each boys and girls team will consist of 5 male or 5 female players respectively. All pupils must play in their own gender category with the following exception;

‘If a school does not enter a female team into the championships, but there is a female player at the school who wishes to participate, then that player may compete in the boy’s team, provided they play in merit order. In the event that a girl competes in the boys team, the ratio of merit order must 4/1 boys to girls in any given fixture. This rule however does not apply to Male players. Male players may not play for Female teams.’

A mixed team, 4 players, will consist of minimum of 1 boy and 2 girls, the 4th player can be either a second boy or a third girl, played in strict order of ability. Boys and Girls can play against each other in this format.

1.11:

The team order of merit will be reviewed after Stage 2. Any team wishing to change its playing order must submit supporting evidence explaining the reason for the change by Friday, 12 February 2027. The decision made by England Squash will be final.

Any team that changes its playing order for the Finals without prior approval from England Squash will forfeit any matches affected by those changes

2.4:

Division 1 Boys and Girls - order of play shall be 5, 3, and 4, 1, 2 on two courts (unless circumstances demand otherwise).

Mixed Division 1 – order of play shall be 4, 1 and 3, 2 on two courts (unless circumstances demand otherwise)

Division 2 – order of play shall be 3, 1, 2.

Plate Stage 2 and Plate Finals:

All games will consist of 5 players (4 players for mixed) with scoring set as first to 11, playing all 3 games, every point counts.

Games tied at 10-10 will be ‘next point wins’.

Cumulative points will be used for each fixture with a team’s final points tally consisting of every point, each player in their team scored.

Championship Stage 2 and Finals:

All fixtures will consist of 5 players (4 players for mixed matches) with scoring set as PAR to 11, games tied at 10-10 will be ‘next point wins’, Best of 3 games. One point shall be awarded for each game won in a match.

To enter your team into the 2026/27 National Schools Squash Championships click here. Entries will close on Sunday 20th September.

Division 1 Entry fee - £75 for teams Boys and Girls, £60 for mixed teams

Division 2 Entry fee - FREE

For any questions or support surrounding the entry process, please contact the Competitions Team at [email protected].

Should you have any further questions, please get in touch: [email protected].