PARENTS and carers across Stockton Borough with children due to start primary school in September 2016 can, from Monday (9 November), submit an application to secure a place at their preferred school.
If your child was born between 1 September 2011 and 31 August 2012, they will be due to start primary school in September 2016.
Up to three school preferences can be made in the application but parents and carers should note there is no automatic transfer from nursery to primary school – so you must apply for a place, even if your children already attends a school nursery.
Councillor Ann McCoy, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “The move from nursery to primary school can be a big step for young children, so I would encourage their parents or carers to submit their application as soon as they can.
“Any late applications run the risk of your child missing out on a place at your preferred school so I hope this reminder ensures applications are submitted in good time.
“We endeavour to make the admissions process as easy as possible and we appreciate the cooperation of parents and carers on this.”
To secure a place, an application must be registered with the Council’s School Admissions Team.
Every parent or carer has the right to express a preference for a place in any school, regardless of whether or not it is their admission zone school. Your home address determines which schools are your ‘zone schools’.
You can find out which are your admission zone schools online at www.stockton.gov.uk/schooladmissions by using the Council’s Maps@Stockton facility.
Applications open on Monday 9 November and the easiest way to apply is online atwww.stockton.gov.uk/schooladmissions
The closing date for applications is Friday 15 January 2016 and any late submissions will not be processed until places have been allocated for those who applied in time. A late application could risk your child missing out on a place at one of your preferred schools.
Those who apply online will receive an email on Monday 18 April 2016 informing them which school has been allocated to their child. Letters will also be posted out to notify parents and carers of the outcome of their application.
Any parent or carer unhappy with their child’s allocated school place has the right to appeal and forms will need to be submitted by Tuesday 31 May 2016 – prior to appeals behind heard in late June or early July 2016.
For further information, please contact the Schools Admissions Team on 01642 526605 orschool.admissions@stockton.gov.uk