Applications open for next year’s school places in Leicestershire and Warwickshire

Applications for children moving from primary to secondary need to be made by the 31st of October.

Parents and carers with children due to start primary or secondary school for the first time in Leicestershire next year (autumn 2024) can apply for their places now.

In Warwickshire, parents and carers of children starting in Year 6 this week are being asked to apply for their child’s secondary school place

Applications for children moving from primary to secondary need to be made by the 31st of October.

Deborah Taylor, Leicestershire County Council cabinet member for children and families, said: “We know that choosing the right school is a big deal for families which is why we have included lots of information about the process and details about county schools on our website.

“Selecting three schools, including one in your catchment area, really does give you the best chance of securing a place for your child at a local school.

“There is no automatic entry for any school, so it is very important for applications to be made before the closing dates.”

Cllr Kam Kaur, Warwickshire County Council’s portfolio holder for Education, said: “Making the move to secondary school is a big step, so look at the admissions criteria for each school you are interested in, think about how your child might travel to and from school each day and most importantly, go and visit the schools in your area if you can, have a good look round and talk to the staff and teachers.

"We have some fantastic schools in Warwickshire, and we want to make sure every child has a place at a school that is right for them”.

Leicestershire County Council have released this advice

• Select three schools, including one in your catchment area

• Choosing just one school will not increase your child’s chances of securing a place there. If you’re not offered a place at your chosen school, and don’t have other preferences on your list, you could be offered a school some distance away   

• Make sure you’re happy with your order of preference 

• If you’re applying for an education, health, and care plan (EHCP) and you think your child might attend a specialist school, it is still important to fill out an application for a mainstream school place. This will ensure they will have a school place in the autumn 

If you’re not sure if you live in a school’s catchment area, check out their website or drop them a line. This is often a key factor in getting a place.

Allocated school places will be announced on national offer days – March 1 2024 (secondary) and April 16 2024 (primary).