Thursday, 12 January 2023
Parents in Nottinghamshire are being reminded to apply for their child’s reception or junior/primary school place (year 3) by the deadline of Sunday, 15 January 2023.
There are just a few days left and there may still be families who have not submitted an application. It is important that parents and carers make sure they have submitted their application on time and to use all four preferences; that gives the best chance of securing a place at a school they are happy for their child to attend.
When making your application, you should:
1) Apply on time – by 15 January 2023. Applying late significantly reduces the chances of your child being allocated one of your preferred schools, as most places will have been allocated on National Offer Day to people who applied on time.
2) Parents of children living in Nottinghamshire need to apply through Nottinghamshire County Council, even if they’re applying for schools in other local authority areas such as Derbyshire or Nottingham City.
3) Use all four preferences – for the best chance of getting your child into a school you are happy for them to attend.
4) Check the admission oversubscription criteria – and include at least one school within the four preferences where the child will have high priority within the admission oversubscription criteria. Information about the criteria for Nottinghamshire schools can be found on the council’s website.
5) Include other relevant information in the application, parents should mention any information which may affect how the admission oversubscription criteria are applied. You should also tell the Council if you are moving house, as this may affect how your application is considered.
Cabinet Member for Children and Families, Councillor Tracey Taylor, said:
“If it is your first child who is starting in reception, we want to make sure that you have all of the information you need to make an informed decision to give you the best chance of getting your child into your preferred school.
“It is important parents make sure their applications are in before the deadline and are aware they must make an application. Even if their child is already attending a nursery or another early years’ setting; children do not automatically transfer from nursery to full-time school.
“I also want to encourage parents to look at their preferred schools’ admissions arrangements and use all of their four preferences, this will really help with your chances of getting a place at one of your preferred schools.”
The easiest way for parents and carers to apply for a place is online by 15 January 2023 via www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/admissions however parents who do not have internet access can telephone 0300 500 80 80. For applications submitted online, parents will be able to log in to their account on National Offer Day, 17 April 2023, to view the outcome. If parents provide an email address, they will be sent an email on National Offer Day, all other applicants will be sent a letter by second class post.
Nottinghamshire County Council is aware that this can be a stressful time for parents and wants to help make this process as easy as possible. All the information needed to help make an informed decision can be found on the council’s website www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/admissions – this includes the ‘Admissions to Schools: Guide for Parents 2023 – 2024’ and a variety of useful information to help with the application process.
ENDS
