PARENTS and guardians of children due to start primary and secondary education next September are being reminded that the closing date to apply for school places is looming.

Parents of children born between 1st September 2012 and 31st August 2013 who are eligible to start reception classes in September 2017 should complete their applications before 13th January 2017 closing date, while children transfering to a secondary school in September 2017 should have completed applications before 30th November closing date. Parents residing in Monmouthshire must apply to the council even if their preferred school lies outside the county’s borders, excluding schools in Newport where applications are to be made directly to the city council.

The completion of an application form expressing written preference for a school is a legal necessity set out in the School Admissions Code of Practice. In addition, while each school within the county serves a specific catchment area parents or guardians can not assume that their children will automatically gain entry.

Monmouthshire’s cabinet member with responsibility for schools and learning, Councillor Liz Hacket Pain said: “It’s vital that parents apply for school places on time.  Applications which are not submitted by 13th January will be considered after those received on time. That means parents who apply late are at greater risk of being allocated places for their child other than at their preferred school - even if they have other children already in the school.”

Parents may apply using the council’s online application system. For more information, visit www.monmouthshire.gov.uk or request an application pack by telephoning the council’s admissions team on 01633 644508 or emailing [email protected]