MONMOUTHSHIRE County Council is alerting parents and guardians of children due to start primary education next September that the closing date to apply for school places – 23rd January – is looming. 

Parents failing to meet this deadline face the significantly increased risk of failing to secure a place at their preferred school.

Children born between 1st September 2010 and 31st August 2011 are eligible to start reception classes in September 2015 and parents are asked to complete their applications before the 23rd January closing date. This will give them the best chance of ensuring that their child attends their preferred school. 

Parents residing in the county 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.

Parents may apply using the council's online application system at http://www.monmouthshire">www.monmouthshire

.gov.uk or alternatively visit: http://www.monmouthshire.gov.uk">www.monmouthshire.gov.uk for more information on the application process.

Alternately, parents may request an application pack by telephoning the council's admissions team on 01633 644508 or emailing: schoolandstudent

accessunit@monmouthshire.

gov.uk

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 should not assume that their children will automatically gain entry. 

Parents who submit application forms by the deadline on 23rd January will be informed which school their child will attend no later than 1st April 2015.

Monmouthshire's cabinet member with responsibility for schools and learning, Cllr Liz Hacket Pain said: "It's vital that parents apply for school places on time.

"Applications which are not submitted by 23rd 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."