EAST Hampshire parents with children due to start school next September, or move to junior or primary schools (Year 3) are being reminded to apply for places before midnight January 15.
Councillor Peter Edgar, Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Education, said: "Starting school is a huge milestone for children and an exciting, although sometimes daunting, time for their parents.
“It’s important for Hampshire parents to ensure they have completed and submitted their application by the deadline to ensure their child is able to start school next September.
“Missing the deadline could mean missing out on a place at your local school.”
In 2016, Hampshire County Council’s Admissions Service processed almost 15,000 applications for primary school places.
Just under 90% of parents applying were allocated a school place for their child at their first preference school, with over 97% being offered a place at one of their three preferred schools.
Councillor Edgar added:”In common with the national picture, demand for school places is growing. We want to be able to ensure children can go to a school near to where they live and we have been working hard to increase capacity at primary schools in areas where demand is highest.
“Earlier this year we embarked on one of our largest ever Children’s Services capital programmes, with investment in new school places valued at £308 million. Over the past three years, and by the end of 2016, the County Council will have delivered over 6,300 new school places. Projects identified in the three year forward programme, to 2019, will deliver a further 11,000 new school places across the county.”
Partents can apply for a school place online, where they will also find useful information about the application process and details of Hampshire schools. Applying online is easy, secure and allows people to make changes to their application right up to the closing date. Parents will be notified of the outcome of their application by email.
Alternatively, parents can apply on a paper application form which is available from all Hampshire maintained schools and academies, or they can call 0300 555 1377 for an application form.
If parents need help with applying for a school place, they should check the school admissions guidance online or call 0300 555 1377. Alternatively, they can contact any of Hampshire’s schools where staff there will be happy to assist.