Parents whose children will start secondary school in September 2019 have until October 31 2018 to apply for a place.
The Good Schools Guide has reported that the number of pupils applying to secondary schools will reach a 20-year high this year, with thousands of families facing the prospect of their child ending up at an unsuitable or underperforming school.
Nearly 25,000 more students are expected to apply for Year 7 places in England than last year.
You will need to fill out an application – either on the Government’s website or by requesting a paper form from your local council – so it’s best to get started before the deadline to ensure you have enough time to fill it all out.
Once the application has been submitted online, an automated email acknowledgement will be sent to you to confirm it has been received.
What Do We Need To Know About The Application Process?
Parents should head to the Government website here and put in their postcode to be taken to the application page on their council’s website.
Parents should apply for three schools for each child, one has to be the catchment school in your area. You can mark which school is preferred.
If you have two schools nearby, you can find out online which one is your catchment school, but you’re advised to contact the schools directly to ask.
Before applying for your child’s secondary school place, make sure you get clued up on nearby schools. You can find out about a school by visiting schools (most have open days you can attend); reading the school’s Ofsted reports; and checking school league tables – these includes exam results.
What Happens If I Miss The Application Deadline?
If you miss the application deadline in October, you will need to complete an application form available from your local council. This could mean a child is less likely to get a place at their preferred school.
When Will We Find Out What School Our Child Has Got Into?
Councils will send confirmations for secondary schools on Friday 1 March 2019.
What If My Child Doesn’t Get Into The School They Want?
It’s a shock for any parent who gets a letter saying their child hasn’t been offered a place at the secondary school you set your heart on. You’ll be sent a letter with the decision about your child’s school and if your child is refused a place, the letter will tell you how you can appeal against the decision.
The admission authority for the school will allow you at least 20 school days to appeal from when they send the decision letter. You will need to submit information and evidence to support your appeal to the admission authority. This will be explained in the letter as it varies between councils. If you need to support, Coram Children’s Legal Centre gives advice about appeals.
To begin the process of applying for a secondary school place, click here.