Information on Loughborough

Don't miss deadline for school places

Posted on 01/09/2009

Leicestershire Councty Council

1 September 2009

Don't miss deadline for school places

Parents are being urged to look out for school place application packs which are landing on doormats across Leicestershire.

Around 15,000 forms have been sent out to people whose children will transfer schools in the autumn term in 2010 and the County Council is urging them to make sure they apply on time.

This covers pupils moving from infant to junior, primary to high or high to upper Leicestershire schools.

Transfer to the next school is not autmatic so all parents and carers need to apply – even for their child to attend their catchment area school. Late applicants may not be offered a place at any of their preferred schools, or even their catchment area school.

Parents need to apply by 31st October and can do so in two ways:

- online at www.leics.gov.uk/admissions or

- by returning their form in the post

Places for children who have not yet started school are allocated under a different process and parents do not need to apply now.

Ivan Ould, Cabinet Member for the Children and Young People's Service, said: “It is very important that all parents apply on time to give their children the best possible chance of being offered a place in their preferred school.

"Last year, we were very successful in meeting parents' preferences but as always, late applicants run the risk of disappointment as schools do become full."

Through schools, the County Council is also sending parents a 'Your Guide' prospectus detailing schools and information about education in Leicestershire. Anyone who has not received one by the end of September, should contact their child's school or can view it online at www.leics.gov.uk/yourguides.

For more information or an application form, please call the County Council on 0116 305 6684 or go to www.leics.gov.uk/admissions .

Independent advice is also available through the Choice Advice Service on 0116 275 2097 or parent-partnership-service@leics.gov.uk .

Notes:

Last year's primary admission figures have not yet been calculated but at secondary level, 97.5% of parents who applied on time received their first preference making Leicestershire one of the top performing authorities in this respect in the country.

The County Council encourages parents to apply via the website online and last year, 47.9% of transfer applications were made online.

The admissions process adheres to central government rules and gives parents the right to have an appeal heard by an independent panel.