Parents and carers across Coalville and Leicestershire are reminded that the closing date is approaching to apply for their child's first primary school place.

Applications for the autumn 2023 intake need to be made by Sunday, January 15, 2023.

A range of information is available at www.leicestershire.gov.uk/admissions to help families start applying. 

Families are encouraged to:

• Put down three schools, including your catchment school, to help ensure you have the best chance possible of securing a school of your choice.
•  
• Contact the admissions team if you have already submitted your child's application but want to go back in and add more schools / include your catchment school. You can do this via the FTA amendments form, available via the above web link
•  
• If you're not sure if a school is your catchment school, check this with them directly. Most have information on their websites.

Councillor Deborah Taylor, county council cabinet member for children and families, said: "Making a first-time primary school application is a big milestone, and there can be lots to consider.

"We want people to be aware that just putting just one school down on your application does not increase your chances of securing a place there.

"It is really important to maximise your opportunities and put down three choices of schools. We'd also strongly encourage you to put your catchment school in your selection.

"We work incredibly hard to allocate school places, but demand can be high and we need families to select all their preferences so as to give themselves the best chances possible of securing a place at their preferred schools."

Choosing a catchment school is important because if the council cannot offer a place at one of the schools listed, parents and carers can then be offered a place at the child's nearest school which still has available places.

This may not be local if you've not listed your catchment school as one of your choices, as places there may have already been filled by others who listed it in their applications.

There is no automatic entry for school in Leicestershire , so it is vital that applications are submitted before the closing date of Sunday, January 15.

Parents and carers wanting more information on schools in the county, can view the 'Your Guide' to education which contains advice and support to help them in the applications process, available via the admissions webpage.

School place offer day for the autumn first-time primary intake 2023 will be April 17.