Hundreds apply for school places

HUNDREDS of Swansea families have already applied for secondary school places for their children online.

Parents of pupils in the final year of all the city’s primary schools need to apply for a secondary school place for their child between September 28 and November 27 this year.

Applications opened on Monday and already 570 families have applied for a school place for their child.

Cllr Jennifer Raynor, Swansea Council’s Cabinet Member for Education, said: “The transfer from primary to secondary school education can be an anxious enough time for parents without having to fill out complex paper forms and send them off.

“That’s why we have this system which makes it much easier and less time-consuming for families to submit their bid for a place on time. This enables places to be allocated in the most efficient and fair way.

“Last year 98 per cent of those applying online on time were offered their first choice of school.

“Families without web access or who they think they may need support to make an application online should contact their primary school, local library or the Contact Centre where help will be provided, if needed.”

More than 2,500 children in Swansea will be heading to secondary school in September 2016.

Parents can get more information about the applications process and about schools by going to www.swansea.gov.uk/admissions

Parents will find the Information for Parents booklet on this website, which includes essential information about the admissions process.

Families will receive letters with a unique identification number (UID) for their child to help make the process easier but parents are also able to apply for a school place without a UID.

Applications must be submitted by end of the day on November 27.

Applicants will be notified of place offers on March 1 next year. They can opt to have that information sent by e-mail so they get it on that day.