Act early to get good school

12:51pm Thursday 28th August 2008

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Surrey County Council is calling on parents to act early for a better chance of getting their children into their preferred schools, after late applications rose significantly this year.

From Monday, September 1, parents can apply online for primary and secondary school places on offer for 2009.

This method will also allow parents to change their selection up to the closing date for applications - October 23 for primary places and October 24 for secondary places.

If parents miss this deadline, their applications will have to be put to one side until after the other applications are processed, reducing their chances of getting into one of their preferred schools.

Last year, Surrey received over 3,500 applications in a three-week period, so this year the online applications will be available for nearly eight weeks. Confirmation of school offers will be sent by email to those who apply online.

Parents can still apply by post, but this process is slower and there is no opportunity to change preferences once they have been submitted.

Peter Martin, executive member for schools, children and youth services, said: “Applying online is a great way for parents to speed up the schools admissions process. We want to do all we can to get parents the places they want for their children, and they have a better chance of getting one of their preferred schools if they apply on time.”

Parents can view their offer of a school place online at midnight on February 27, 2009, for primary schools and at 7am on March 2, 2009, for secondary schools.

To apply online, log on surreycc.gov.uk/admissions.

Paper forms can be obtained through the county council’s contact centre by calling 08456 009 009.

They are also available at schools and nurseries. Completed paper forms should be returned to the parent’s first preference school.