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Getting Ready for School in 2010
| Published: 9th September 2009 19:39 |
Schools may only have just started back after the summer break, but many Hertfordshire carers and parents are already planning ahead for school places in 2010.
If your child starts nursery or primary school or moves on to secondary school next year you need to apply for a school place in good time.
The process for moving on to secondary school opened on Thursday 3rd September and the deadline for completed applications is 23rd October this year. Parents can apply on line or return a paper copy of the application form direct to their local admissions and transport team. Parents can no longer return their application form's to their child's current primary school.
The timescales for primary and nursery applications have changed significantly this year. The primary school process will not start until November 2009, with the online application system opening on 16th November and the deadline for applications 29th January 2010. Applications for Junior and Middle Schools will also be dealt with according to these timescales.
Nursery applications will open on 12th October and close on 11th December.
Most parents find that applying online is quick, easy and secure. Last year 88% of parents and carers logged on to the Herts Direct website to complete their application forms.
Before making an application, 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 hertsdirect contain all the information parents need to apply for a school place and advice on where to find extra help, as well as answers to commonly asked questions.
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 places at the school they most prefer. However, many schools receive more applications than they have places and we have admission rules to determine which children get places at which schools. But we do have a good track record in Hertfordshire and last year 93.38 per cent of children were allocated one of their three ranked secondary schools and 95.26 per cent one of their three ranked primary schools."
This year the county council's admissions team will handle more than 21,000 applications for school places. The Moving On booklets will be issued to families through their primary schools at the beginning of September
Parents are also advised to check the county council's website in case there have been any changes to the admission rules since the booklets were printed.
Primary school parents will receive a Starting School leaflet in mid-November. They will be able to view the full booklet online but can also apply for a paper version. Nursery literature will be sent out by October 9 2009
To apply online and for admission information log on to the Herts Direct website or telephone the customer service centre on 0300 123 4043.
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