Applications open on Monday for 2017 school places

Applications for City of York Council school places for September 2017 open on Monday 12 September 2016 at Secret Life 5 YearOldGroup10--(None)_A2www.york.gov.uk/schooladmissions

Parents and carers of children born between 1 September 2012 and 31 August 2013, are invited to apply for places in the reception class at their chosen York primary schools. Also, parents and carers of children who have just started in Year 6 may apply for a place in Year 7 at secondary school from today.

All details and answers to frequently asked questions can be found at www.york.gov.uk/guideforparents. The guide, updated for 2017 admissions, contains information on school admissions and appeals processes as well as information on admissions statistics, oversubscription criteria and other information for parents and carers. Also online are details for service families and information on fair access.

School contact details are also available through this website, to help parents and carers to find out when any open evenings or days might be held or to arrange school visits.

For more detailed information, please email: education@york.gov.uk or call
.

Deadline nears for primary school place admissions

Parents and carers of children starting school this September are reminded to apply for a place before next Friday.

Parents may also apply online at the same time for free school meals for their children, and if eligible, their child’s school will also benefit from additional funding known as the Pupil Premium.

The closing date for applications for children born between 1 September 2011 and 31 August 2012, is Friday 15 January 2016. For a place in the reception class at their chosen York state primary school, parents and carers can apply online at www.york.gov.uk/schooladmissions

All details and answers to frequently asked questions can be found at www.york.gov.uk/guideforparents. The guide, updated for 2016 admissions, contains information on school admissions and appeals processes as well as information on admissions statistics, oversubscription criteria and other information for parents and carers. Also online are details for service families and information on fair access.

In addition, all eligible parents and carers are encouraged to apply for free school meals if they receive one or more of the following income-related benefits:

• Income Support

• Income-based Job Seekers Allowance

• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

• Child Tax Credit combined with both a household income below £16,190, and not in receipt of any Working Tax Credit

• Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999

• Guarantee Element of State Pension Credit.

The Government will give £1,300 every year for each primary school pupil and £965 for each secondary school student eligible for the Pupil Premium as well as a free school meal, should they choose to have one.

This sum, known as the Pupil Premium, is paid to the school whether or not the pupil takes up the school meal and is used to help the pupil do even better with their schoolwork. All applications are treated confidentially and can be made through the school or online at www.york.gov.uk/freeschoolmeals

Councillor Jenny Brooks, Executive Member for Education, Children and Young People, said: “The national deadline of 15 January is almost here so I would urge any parent or carer who has not yet applied for a place to do so now. We have enough places for all known primary school children in York and confirmation of the school allocated to children will be given on 18 April. Applying for the school premium at the same time will ensure that those eligible will have that valuable extra funding following their child until they leave secondary school. It is important that everyone who might meet the criteria applies as the extra funding will be so valuable to their child’s education.”

For further help and information about school places, free school meals and the Pupil Premium contact School Services at West Offices, Station Rise, York, YO1 6GA, call 01904 551554 or emaileducation@york.gov.uk