School application process to open on Monday

Thursday, September 2, 2010
12:18 PM

IT’S that time of the year again where many Hertfordshire carers and parents will need to plan ahead for school places in 2011.

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IT’S that time of the year again where many Hertfordshire carers and parents will need to plan ahead for school places in 2011.

The process for moving on to secondary or upper school opens on Monday September 6. Leaflets giving further details will be distributed to families through their children’s primary schools at the beginning of September. Parents are recommended to apply by Friday October 22 so that their applications can be checked, acknowledged and processed in good time, however applications will be accepted until October 31.

An interactive version of the ‘Moving On’ booklet is available at www.hertsdirect.org/admissions to provide a quick and easy way of obtaining all the information you need about the secondary transfer process.

Parents who do not wish to apply online can request a paper application form that must be returned direct to their local admissions and transport team. Application forms can no longer be returned to a child’s current primary school.

Before making an application (either online or on paper), parents and carers are strongly advised to visit schools and attend the secondary information evenings to help them make their preferences. The admissions pages on the hertsdirect website contain all the information parents need to apply for a school place as well as advice on where to find extra help, and answers to commonly asked questions.

The Under 11s application process (for applications to primary, junior and middle schools) opens on Monday November 15 and the closing date is January 31, 2011. This year, for the first time, parents will be able to apply for any school in England on Hertfordshire County Council’s primary application form. Primary school parents will receive a leaflet in mid-November. They will be able to view an interactive version of the full Under 11s booklet online and can request a paper copy from the Customer Service Centre on 0300 123 4043.

The nursery application process will change significantly this year. Parents will be able to apply for nursery schools and classes, as well as for places in private, voluntary and independent early years settings, on the same online system. The nursery application process does not start until mid February 2011 when nursery literature will be sent directly to parents.

Richard Thake, Executive Member for Education said: “Starting school or moving on to secondary school are important steps for children. I recognise this is one of the most important services we provide and can assure parents that dedicated officers are on hand to provide support and guidance, both at the time of application and at the time a school place is offered.

“Parents and carers want to ensure their children gain a place at the school they most prefer. However, many schools receive more applications than they have places available and the admission rules are used to determine which children are offered places at which schools. Hertfordshire has a good track record and last year over 95 per cent of children were allocated one of their three ranked secondary schools and over 94 per cent one of their three ranked primary schools.”

Parents are advised to check the county council’s website in case there have been any changes to admission arrangements or timescales since the booklets were printed.

To apply online and for more information on school admissions log on to www.hertsdirect.org/admissions.