News story

11th September 2001

MP Urges Parents Not To Miss School Admissions Deadline

Northavon MP Steve Webb has issued an urgent plea to parents with children born between 1st September 1997 and 31st August 1998 to make sure they apply for a place at primary school before the October 26th deadline. If not, parents may find that their child cannot get a place at their local school in September 2002 and may have to attend a different school from all their friends. Steve Webb said:

“Every year I hear from a small number of parents who have not been able to get their young child into the school of their choice because they applied after the deadline. Families are often devastated when their child cannot attend the local school, but unless they apply in time they risk missing out. Only if a form is filled in and sent to the Council by Friday 26th October will an application be treated as being in on time. I would strongly urge parents to send their form in as early as possible and to check that it has been received by the Council”.

The MP said that problems arise every year because the Council does not have a list of all the children in the relevant age group, and the onus is on the parents to make sure that they apply. Even parents who have older children already at the school in question must still fill in a separate application form for the younger brother or sister, and it must be received by the deadline. Although the Council does display posters and put notices in newspapers, these are not seen by many parents. Schools and pre-schools also make efforts to contact all relevant parents, but every year some families still miss out.

Application forms can be obtained from South Gloucestershire Council’s Schools section on 01454 863150 for all South Gloucestershire Community and Voluntary Controlled Infant/Primary Schools, or directly from the schools themselves.

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Note to editors: For more details on the effects on families of missing the deadline for school applications, contact Steve Webb's office on 01454 322100.