There's just over one week until the 15 January deadline to apply for a reception class place at an infant or primary school for a child starting school in September 2015.

All parents and carers living in Hounslow with a child born between 1 September 2010 and 31 August 2011 must apply through Hounslow Council for their child’s first school place, even if they want their child to attend a school out of the borough.

If a child is at nursery linked with an infant or primary school, they will not automatically continue into the reception year at the school where they attend nursery class – parents and carers must apply for a reception place. By law, all children must start school no later than the term following their fifth birthday.

Hounslow Council has produced a booklet which provides details of all Hounslow primary schools and fully explains the admissions process. The booklet can be found on the primary school admissions pages of the council’s website. The easiest way for parents and carers to apply for a school place is online.

Applying online is easy and secure, and parents and carers can change their list of preferred schools as many times as they like before the deadline date. They will also receive email confirmation of their applications.

If you apply online applicants will receive by email an offer of a school place on the evening of 16 April, if you apply by paper form offer of a school place will be notified by a posted letter on 17 April.

Cllr Tom Bruce, Hounslow Council’s cabinet member for education, said parents and carers had a fantastic choice of high performing local schools.

He said:

“Nearly 80 per cent of primary schools in Hounslow are now rated as good or better and last year’s Key Stage 2 results show that more than three quarters of all Hounslow primary school children are now reaching the national standard in reading, writing and maths.

“Always aim to list up to six schools on applications to increase the possibility of your child being offered a place at a school that you and they would be happy to go to. Parents and carers often have a fixed idea about which school they want their children to go to and only list that one school on the application form. Nominating only one school will not give your child any advantage in securing a place and there are plenty of fantastic schools across the borough to choose from.”

If you have questions about the infant or primary school application process, contact the Hounslow School Admissions Service on 020 8583 2721 or by emailing admissions@hounslow.gov.uk

January 7, 2015