PARENTS whose children will be going to primary, junior or secondary school for the first time in September next year are being advised that they now need to apply for school Places for them.

This year, the council was able to give 91 per cent of applicants their first preference for primary schools, and 99.8 per cent for secondary schools.

However, it is urging parents to make sure they put down a second and third choice of school when they apply, in case their first choice school is oversubscribed.

The closing date for secondary school applications is October 31, 2012, and the deadline for primary school applications is January 15, 2013. The applications must be with the council’s admissions team by these dates.

All applications received up to the deadline dates will be considered together using the same criteria – they are not dealt with on a ‘first come, first served’ basis. Applications received after the deadline may significantly increase the risk of the council being unable to offer places for any of the preferred schools.

Coun David Renard , Swindon council cabinet member for children’s services, said: “The council has a legal duty to provide school places, and we have an excellent track record in anticipating where those places are needed, and then building new schools to meet the demand if necessary. “In a growing town, this requires careful planning, and the figures speak for themselves – this year, we were the second most successful council in the south west, and the fifth nationally, at meeting the first preferences for secondary school applicants, while 98.8 per cent of primary school applicants had one of their three preferences met.

“However, it’s vital that parents give us that second and third preference, because it gives them the best possible chance of getting their children into a school that is the most acceptable to them if their first choice can’t accommodate all the applicants.”

Information about the entire process, including how to apply, and the application and oversubscription criteria, is available on the School Places web pages.

Alternatively, parents or carers can contact schools directly, visit the council’s One Stop Shop (Swindon Direct) in Beckhampton Street, Swindon, or contact the council’s School Admissions Team either by phone on 01793 445500 or by e-mail to schooladmissions@swindon.gov.uk.