Deadline looms for school applications

VITAL FORMS NEED TO BE SUBMITTED ON TIME AS MANY SCHOOLS WILL BE OVERSUBSCRIBED

PARENTS of primary school children have until tomorrow to apply for their child’s school place.

The application process for children starting primary school in the city in September started last September.

But the deadline is now approaching.

Parents only have until January 15 to get their applications in.

If you haven’t already applied - don’t worry. Applications are not considered on a first come, first served basis.

Last year, 94.6 per cent of children got a place at their first choice school.

But as many schools receive more applications than they have places available, applications will be judged against the council’s school admission policy.

Children in Coventry can be admitted to primary schools at the beginning of the school year after their fourth birthday, provided they have reached the age of four by August 31.

But all children must start school at the beginning of the term following their fifth birthday.

Application forms are available on the council’s website.

You can call the Primary School Admissions team for help and advice on 02476 975 445, or email primaryadmissions@coventry.gov.uk

If you have more than one child, you’ll need to fill out a separate form for each.

Any applications received after January 15 will be looked at in the second allocation and will not be looked at until after April 16.

The council’s website says this means it will be “very unlikely that you will get a place in any of the popular, oversubscribed schools”. The following primary schools were oversubscribed in 2018: Finham School, Sidney Stringer Primary Academy and Walsgrave CE Academy. Any parents wanting to send their children to the following faith schools - Leigh, St John’s Church of England Schools and Seva School - will also have to submit an extra form if they want their children to receive higher priority based on their faith. The council will post letters to parents who have applied by January 15 to let them know which school their child has been allocated on April 16. Those who have made online submissions will receive the information by email. The authority will then allocate school places to children whose parents have made late applications, and those on waiting lists, between May and August. Any appeals from parents who are not happy with their child’s school place will be heard between May and July. Coventry City Council is proposing to make some changes to its school admissions policy for next year. If they are implemented, it would affect admissions at all community and voluntary controlled primary, infant and junior schools from 2020. A consultation has been running allowing parents to have their say on the changes. Responses to the consultation will be considered by the Cabinet on February 12 before any changes are made.