Parents reminded to apply for their child’s school place

Shropshire Council’s school admissions team ensure thousands of children start school every year, but time is running out for parents to apply for their preferred school.

Last year the team were able to place 92% of reception-aged children in their highest preference school, and to ensure as many children are as successful in gaining their first preference in this round of applications, the council is reminding parents to make their applications for their child’s school place before the deadline.

If your child will be four years old by September 2013 then you will need to fill in an application form and return it to Shropshire Council by 15 January 2013.

Recent changes to regulations mean that four year olds are now able to start school in the autumn term, September 2013.

Parents are being encouraged to make applications online at shropshire.gov.uk/schooladmissions.

There are many advantages of completing an application online, one being that parents can review the results of their application online.

Alternatively parents may telephone the school admissions team on 0345 678 9008 and a member of the team will be happy to receive the application details.

Parents are reminded that they must still make an application for council schools to the admissions team even if:

• An older sibling is already at the school
• The child attends a linked nursery
• The parent or carer has put their child’s name on a list at the school

Cecilia Motley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for learning and skills, said:

“I would encourage all parents to make these applications by the given deadline.  Unfortunately, not all parents apply by the closing date, and some parents do not even make an application at all.  The consequences are that parents may miss out on the opportunity for their child to be considered for a place at their preferred school, as we are legally obliged to consider all late applications after the on-time applications have been allocated.”