Final bell for picking primary and junior places

Time is ticking for parents to choose which schools they would most like their children to attend in 2014.

Families whose children are due to start at primary school for the first time or junior school (having completed Year 2 in an infant school) in September 2014 have just seven days left to tell the Council which three schools are their top choices.

The deadline for primary and junior school admission preferences is Wednesday 15 January and Plymouth City Council is urging parents not to leave their applications until the last minute.

Councillor Nicky Williams, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: "We are currently short by approximately 948 applications. If we don't receive them by the deadline, it means those young people may not get the primary or junior school they would prefer.

"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.

"It is really important for parents to put down three schools in order of preference when making an application. If they only list one school and their child does not get a place at that school, a place will be allocated at the nearest school with a vacancy after all the other applications have been dealt with.

"This means that it may not be a local school that is allocated as those places may have been given to children whose parents actually asked for a place there. The system works by equal preference which means that parents loose nothing by putting down more than one school on their application. Putting more than one school actually maximises the chances of getting a place at a school of preference."

The easiest way to apply for a place is online through the Council's website on the school admissions page, where parents will find full details on how to apply and how the admissions system works.

Each school now has its own admission criteria 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 89 per cent of young people and parents with their first choice of primary school, 99 per cent with their first choice of junior school and 91 per cent with their first choice of secondary school.

For more information call the Council's school admissions team on 01752 307166 for primary placements and junior school transfers.