Families who’ll be celebrating a child’s fourth birthday between now and the end of next summer have been urged to apply on time for a primary school place for September 2013.
And with the current pressure on capacity in the county’s urban schools Northamptonshire County Council has reminded parents of the importance of identifying the three schools they would prefer to send their children to.
Cabinet member for children, learning and skills, Councillor Andrew Grant said: “The admissions system gives families the chance to tell us which schools they’d prefer to send their children to.
“While most people are successful at getting a place at their preferred school, there are steps that parents can take to maximise their chances. Submitting an application form in time is the most crucial followed closely by nominating a second and third choice school.
“The bottom line is that there are no guarantees of getting into a preferred school but the chances of a successful application will be higher if parents tell us before the deadline which three schools they’d prefer.”
Applications are being accepted online from this week until Tuesday, January 15 for primary school places for children who will be four years old between September 1 and August 31.
Applications received online before Wednesday, October 31 will be entered into a draw for an iPad.
Applications received after the deadline can result in parents being unable to secure a place in any of their preferred schools.
This year, 931 primary school applications were received outside the application period. The majority of those applications were for reception and years 1 and 2.