Wokingham

Parents and carers in the Wokingham district are being reminded that they have until February 9, 2007 to apply for infant and primary school places.

Parents of three and four-year-olds (born between September 1, 2002 and August 31, 2003) must apply to Wokingham District Council for a place if their child is due to start at school from September 2007, January 2008 or April 2008. Children will still start in either the autumn, spring or summer term, depending on when their birthday falls but there is only one closing date each year for applications.

The council operates an equal preference scheme which means parents and carers can express a preference for up to three infant or primary schools. However, if parents are applying to an aided or foundation school, they may need to complete the school’s own supplementary information form and return it to the council or school. Everyone applying for an infant, primary or junior school place in the Wokingham district will receive a single offer on the same day (March 30, 2007).

Application forms, with supporting information, were sent to parents and carers from November 2006. However, if parents or carers of eligible children have not received application forms, they should contact the school admissions team at Wokingham District Council on (0118) 974 6245, or 974 6146. Starting school applications can also be made online at www.wokingham.gov.uk/admissions.

Sue Riddick, school admissions team, said: “With only just over a week to go to get application forms in for infant and primary school places, it’s vitally important that parents and carers don’t miss the final deadline of February 9, 2007.

“The school admissions team are here to help, and if you have not received an information pack and application form, please contact us immediately.”

The scheme aims to ensure that parents are treated fairly and consistently. All preferences are treated on an equal basis taking into account the admissions criteria. Where there is the potential to offer a place at more than one school, parents will be offered the school they have ranked highest.

The application process also applies to pupils transferring from infant to junior school to start in September 2007 and their parents and carers must apply in the same way by the deadline of February 9, 2007 using the application form provided by infant schools.

Wokingham District Council