Kent primary school applications

Don’t be late applying for a primary school place is the message from Kent County Council.

Primary school applications are now open for children requiring a primary, infant or junior place next September.

Last year there were 500 late applications out of the 17,400 families needing a school place say the local authority.

Families are being encouraged to apply as soon as possible for a primary school place for their children and not miss the deadline of January 16.

Roger Gough, KCC’s Cabinet Member for Education, said: “The best way to apply is online. 94% of all applications are now made that way and we really encourage parents to apply as soon as possible.

"If parents do not apply in time their child could miss out on a school place at their preferred school.

“We are also reminding parents they do still need to apply for a school place even if their child has older brothers or sisters already in school. Every year a number of people fail to register by the deadline because they believe they need not apply because they have a brother or sister already in school, but they do.”

Every child born between September 1, 2012 and August 31, 2013 needs to be registered for a school place, along with those who are moving from infant school to junior school.

Families can apply for up to three schools, putting them in order of preference.

Naming only one school does not guarantee a place at that school or give priority for a place over another child, nor does naming a school more than once. Families are being encouraged to name their schools in order of their genuine preference.

Schools do not know whether they have been named as first, second or third preference, they will make their offers in accordance with their oversubscription criteria.

Families will find out which school they have been given on April 18.

Parents and carers who provided email addresses through their online application will find out at which primary school their child has been offered a place.

Others will have their offers sent to them by post on the same day.

To apply online for a school in Kent visit www.kent.gov.uk/ola

For applications and further information about schools in Medway visit www.medway.gov.uk