Is your child starting secondary school next year?

Parents whose children are due to start Year 7 at secondary school or Year 10 at a Key Stage 4 institution in September 2016 have just a few days left to tell the Council which three schools they would like their child to attend.

The deadline for secondary school and key stage 4 institutions admission preferences is 31 October 2015 and Plymouth City Council is urging parents not to leave their applications until the last minute.

To maximise the chances of being allocated a place at a preferred school, parents are advised to list three schools in their application. For secondary schools, where the Council is unable to allocate a place at one of the parent’s preferences, a place will be allocated at the nearest suitable school to the home address with a vacancy after all the preference applications have been considered.

Speaking about secondary school applications, Councillor Sue McDonald, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Public Health said: “If we don’t receive them by the deadline, it means those young people may not get the secondary school of their choice. The last thing we want is for parents to leave it to the last minute and there be some unforeseen circumstance that stops them applying, so it’s crucial they complete the admissions form as soon as possible.”

Parents are warned if they apply late there is a risk that all the places at their preferred schools will be filled by applicants who applied on time.

Last year the Council was able to match 94.82 per cent per cent of young people with their first choice of secondary school.

Parents also have the opportunity to apply for a place in a Key Stage 4 institution to start in September 2016. Key stage 4 institutions are specialised centres that take students from Year 10. If the Council is unable to allocate a place at one of the parent’s preferences, the place held at the secondary school will be maintained.

The easiest way to apply for a place is online through the Council’s website at www.plymouth.gov.uk/schooladmissions where you will find full details on how to apply and how the admissions system works.

Each school/Key Stage 4 institution has its own admission criteria, so it’s important to look at the information relating to specific schools in the admission guidance booklets at www.plymouth.gov.uk/schooladmissions

You can contact the Council’s school admissions team on 01752 307469 for secondary school transfers, including key stage 4 and 01752 307166 for primary school transfers.