Primary Choices Deadline Approaches

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Council warns parents to submit their applications next week

Parents who want their children to start at a state primary school next September are being reminded that they need to begin thinking about their choices now.

Parents who live in the borough must submit their application forms to Wandsworth Town Hall by Saturday, January 15th.

To be eligible for a reception class place in September 2011, children must have been born between September 1, 2006 and August 31, 2007.

Application forms need to be completed and submitted even if the child has an older sibling already at a preferred school in the borough.

Parents can apply online at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/admissions or by completing the application form provided in the council's Choose a Wandsworth Primary School brochure.

The brochure gives detailed advice and guidance on how to make an application and contains simple and straightforward information about all the borough's 55 state funded primary schools, including their admission criteria, plus details of after-school care schemes and other early-years services.

Letters confirming offers will be posted to parents on Monday, April 4. Those who applied online will be able to view the outcome of their application on the internet from 5pm that day, but like all other parents, they too will receive a confirmation letter in the post.

Parents will be offered a place at no more than one of the schools they have applied for. The place offered will be at their highest ranked school that is able to allocate a place using their published admissions criteria.

The final date for parents to confirm that they accept a place is Monday, April 18. Failure to do so by this date could result in the place being offered to another child.

Cllr Kathy Tracey, Wandsworth's executive member for education and children’s services said:
"Starting primary school is a big event in your child's life. It is important that you find out all you can about the schools in your area and make your applications on time. Our brochure has been produced to help you do this.

"We strongly recommend that you find out more about schools before completing your application form. You can use the information in our brochure to contact schools and ask them for their prospectus or to arrange a visit.

"Some schools receive more applications than there are places available. Our guide will give you an idea of whether or not your child stands a good chance of getting a place at a school you prefer. Unless you are certain that your child will get a place at a particular school you should apply for other schools as well, listing them in the order you prefer them."

Copies of Choose a Wandsworth Primary School are available from schools and nurseries and at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/admissions. They can also be obtained by calling (020) 8871 7316 or by emailing admissions@wandsworth.gov.uk.

 
December 14, 2010