Closing date for primary school applications in Harborough is approaching - here's how to apply

Parents and carers in Harborough are being reminded that the closing date for first time primary school applications is Friday January 15.

You can find a range of information at www.leicestershire.gov.uk/admissions to help you kickstart the application process and submit preferences for schools.

This includes an interactive guide to education which contains advice to help parents and carers successfully apply for a child’s school place.

Cllr Deborah Taylor, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for children and families, said: “Choosing which schools to apply for is one of the most important decisions a family can make - and we are committed to working with parents and carers to support them as they make this choice.

“Last year over 98 per cent of Leicestershire parents secured their child a place at a preferred school.

“So we want to remind parents to maximise their opportunities by applying for three schools, including their catchment school.”

She added: “There is no automatic entry for any school, so it is very important for applications to be submitted before the closing date of 15 January.”

Parents can also, if they prefer, call the council’s Customer Service Centre on 0116 305 6684 and ask for a paper form to be sent out to fill in and post back by the closing date.

Information on helping your child get ‘school ready’ is available at https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/school-readinessNearly 7,611 applications were received for autumn 2020 start, of which:

• 92.4 per cent per cent (7,035) secured their first choice (90.3 per cent in 2019)

• 4.7 per cent (358) secured their second choice (5.2 per cent in 2019)

• 0.88 per cent (67) secured their third choice (1.6 per cent in 2019)

• 98 per cent (7,460) secured one of their top three choices (97.1 per cent in 2019).