PARENTS and carers across Stockton Borough are being reminded that applications for secondary school places will open from Monday 7 September.
If your child was born between 1 September 2004 and 31 August 2005, he or she will be due to start attending a secondary school from September 2016.
The Council is responsible for the coordination of admissions to all thirteen secondary schools in the Borough for entry in September 2016 to comply with the School Admission Code 2014.
Councillor Ann McCoy, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “Starting at secondary school is an important chapter in the lives of our young people.
“We understand that there is a big step to be made from primary to secondary school so we try extremely hard to make this is as smooth as possible by encouraging parents to make full use of their opportunity to apply for up to three schools.
“Parents and carers can help us and their children by making sure they have their application in on time for the September 2016 intake.”
Stockton Borough is divided into areas known as ‘admission zones’ and your homes address will determine your zone schools.
The Council acts as the ‘admission authority’ for three community schools namely Bishopsgarth, Egglescliffe and Northfield. Decisions on applications to these schools will be made by the Council while taking into account parents’ preferences.
You can find details on the Council’s admission policy at www.stockton.gov.uk/schooladmissions
Details on the applications for a place at voluntary aided schools, academies, free schools or schools outside of Stockton Borough will be forwarded to the relevant bodies.
The easiest way to submit an application is via the online form which is available, from Monday 7 September, at www.stockton.gov.uk/schooladmissions
Application letters and forms will also be distributed through primary schools in the week commencing Monday 7 September.
Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council receives over 2,000 applications per year for a secondary school place so parents and carers are being advised to submit their application as soon as possible.
The deadline for applications is Saturday 31 October 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 children missing out on a place at one of your preferred schools.
Those who apply online will receive an email on Tuesday 1 March 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 necessary appeals will be heard in May or June 2016.
For further information, please contact the Schools Admissions Team on 01642 526605 or school.admissions@stockton.gov.uk