Don't leave school selection to last minute

Parents whose children are due to start at secondary school in September 2015 have just 18 days left to tell the Council which three schools they would like their child to attend.

The deadline for secondary school admission preferences is Friday 31 October 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 3 schools in their application. 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.

Councillor Sue McDonald, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Public Health said: “We are currently short by approximately 1,100 applications. 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.

“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. If you need further help though please don’t hesitate to contact the schools admission team on 01752 307469.”

Each school now has its own admission criteria, as traditional catchment areas no longer exist, so it’s important to look at the information relating to specific schools in the admission guidance booklet also on the web.

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 95 per cent of young people and parents with their first choice of secondary school.

The admission deadline for parents with children due to start primary school in September 2015 is 15 January 2015. Parents who wish their child to attend Year 3 of a Junior School in September 2015 must also apply by this deadline. The junior application process particularly applies to parents whose children are due to finish Year 2 at an infant school in the summer of 2015. Last year, the Council was able to match 89 per cent of young people and parents with their first choice of secondary school and 100 per cent with their first choice of junior school.

For more information call the Council’s school admissions team on 01752 307469 for secondary school transfers and 01752 307166 for primary (including junior) school transfers.