Durham County Council has warned parents that the deadline for them to apply for primary school places is fast approaching. Applications for places for the next academic year, which begins in September 2017, should be submitted by Sunday 15th January.
Councillor Ossie Johnson, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said, “In our county, we benefit from many schools with superb facilities and dedicated, talented staff and we hope that through our admissions system people can express their preferences and see their children enjoy a happy and successful education.”
Councillor Johnson continued, “We know the decision of where to send your children is a big one, and can be difficult, but we would urge parents to make sure they apply by the deadline as a late application greatly reduces your chances of getting into your preferred school.”
Applications can be made online at www.durham.gov.uk/schooladmissions or by post. Forms can be requested by calling 03000 265 896 or by writing to the School Admissions and Transport Team at Durham County Council, County Hall, Durham, DH1 5UJ.
When sending completed forms back through the post to the council, parents should use signed for or special delivery services.
Durham County Council says that offers of places will be made to parents on 16th April 2017.
Parents who have applied online will be sent an offer e-mail. Parents who have applied by post will receive an offer letter. These e-mails and letters should be received by 16th April at the latest.
Though Durham does not seem to be one of the worst affected areas, there have been issues in recent years with the provision of primary school places. In the 2015 intake, up to a fifth of pupils in some parts of the country missed out on their parents’ top choice of school. In some areas, it is predicted there will be more pupils than places by 2019-20.
