Council invites parents to apply for school places

As schools go back after the summer break, parents and carers of the county's 1850 year six children are being asked to apply for secondary school places for September 2009.

The council has invited all parents who live in the county to name up to three schools in order of preference by November 7 2008.

All preferences are treated as equal initially. However, if more than one school place can potentially be offered to an individual applicant, the single offer is for the school the parent ranked highest. If parents put as their first preference the school that serves their catchment area then they usually get offered this school, but sometimes parents wish to send their children to a school outside this area.

Last year, 95 percent of parents were offered their first or second choice of school in Herefordshire which is one of the highest percentages in the country.

All parents will receive a pack through their child's primary school which contains an information booklet telling them about admissions and transfers to schools in Herefordshire. The pack also contains an application form and dates for school open evenings, although applications may be made online via the council's web site.

Starting school for the first time, and transferring to secondary school are two of the most important events in any child's life. The council aims to make it as easy as possible for parents to understand the procedures involved in applying for a school place and a Choice Advisor is available to offer help and guidance on the process too.

Places will be allocated and offers made on 2nd March 2009.