Don’t miss out on a school place

Parents with children transferring to secondary school in September 2012 are being advised to make sure they have their application packs and apply online by the deadline of 31 October, 2011.

Last year, almost 60% of parents applied for a school place online, as it’s now the preferred method of choosing a school. Parents need to apply for a school place a year in advance, so any children moving from primary to secondary in 2012 should apply from 9 September. If parents want a reception place they can apply from 14 November.

The reason why the online system is so popular is that the school admissions website has lots of information and links designed to help choose a school and the fact that parents can log on at midnight from 1 March to find out the school offered to their children. If parents don’t have a computer, they can apply by phone on 01522 782030 or ask for an application pack.

Councillor Mrs Patricia Bradwell, Executive Councillor for Children’s Services, explained: “The online system has proved so popular that we have decided not to send out paper forms this year, but of course we will send them out on request. All the relevant publications are available online and parents can research schools through links to Ofsted and league tables.”

Many schools are becoming academies but the system for applying for a place hasn’t changed. Parents should ask their primary school about any 11+ arrangements. Parents of children in year 6 are told by letter where they can get free home to school transport and this may be an important consideration for choosing a secondary school.

No school can only look at applications which put it as a first preference – all offers are made by referring to the published admission policy. No school can ask parents what school they put down as first preference.