Don’t miss out on a primary school place for your child

PARENTS with children starting reception at primary or junior school in September 2015 can apply for places from Monday, 17 November.

Information packs area available from primary schools from Monday and parents need to apply online by the deadline of 15 January 2015 – go to www.lincolnshire.gov.uk/schooladmissions.

Last year, 98% of parents applied for a school place online making this the preferred method of choosing a school. This way of applying is so popular because the school admissions website has lots of information and links designed to help choose a school, but if parents don’t have a computer they can apply by phone on 01522 782030 or can ask for an application form.

Parents can get information from the ‘Going to Primary School in Lincolnshire’ book and see Ofsted and performance results on schools’ websites.

CounMrs Patricia Bradwell, Executive Councillor for Children’s Services, explained: ‘With 98% of parents applying online the system has proved to be very popular.

“I know most parents will be looking forward to checking for their child’s school place online when national offer day comes round on 16th April next year.

“We have over 90% of children being given their first preference and there is no reason why this should not continue next year.”

Parents can apply for up to three state schools, in or out of county via the application process. We strongly advise parents to name three schools on their application as we cannot guarantee a place at your most preferred school.

If you do not live in Lincolnshire you must apply through your home local authority. You can name Lincolnshire schools on this application.

Schools provide useful information on their own websites and they also produce a school prospectus. For further information on schools that are not in Lincolnshire, please visit the website for the school’s local authority.

No school can only look at applications which put it as a first preference – all offers are made by referring to the published admission policy. No school can ask parents what school they put down as first preference.

Lincolnshire County Council expects about 7,700 primary applications, which can be dealt with as long as parents send them back on time.

Last year 93.6% of parents were given the primary school they wanted as first preference and over 98% were given one of their three preferred schools.