Parents and carers of children who are due to start school for the first time this Autumn are being urged to make sure they get their applications in for a school place before the fast-approaching deadline of 5 pm this Friday 15 January.
Applications must be made for all children who require a reception class in September, including for those children who currently attend a school nursery. Attendance at a school nursery does not guarantee admission to that school's reception class - parents still need to apply for a place through the formal city-wide application process.
Parents or carers who haven't yet applied must do so before the deadline to give their child the best chance of getting a place at one of their preferred schools.
The easiest way to apply is on-line at: manchester.gov.uk/admissions
Parents and carers are encouraged to name at least three schools on their application form and must rank the schools they list in order of preference - putting the school they would most like their child to attend, if places are available, at the top of the list.
Manchester operates an equal preference system when considering school admission applications. This means that each of the schools named on application forms will be considered at the same time. If, as a result of this, the system shows that a place could be offered at more than one school, the child will be offered a place at the school ranked highest on their application form.
Councillor Garry Bridges, Executive Member for Children and Schools, Manchester City Council, said: "We know the current Covid crisis means everyone has got a lot to think about just now, but we would urge all parents and carers of children due to start school in September to make sure they apply for their child's school place if they haven't already done so, and to make sure they don't miss the deadline.
"It's very quick and easy to apply on-line and should only take around ten minutes especially if parents already know which schools they'd like their child to be considered for.
"School visits are obviously not possible just now, but if any parents are still unsure which schools to list on their application forms they should have a look at the websites of different schools to get a feel for what's on offer and if it would suit their child.
"The most important thing is not to miss the application deadline. Applying on time gives parents the best possible chance of securing a place for their child at one of their preferred schools."
For anyone unable to make an on-line application, paper applications can also be sent in by post. All applications must however be received by the same deadline of 5 pm on Friday 15 January 2021.
All on-time applicants will receive their offer of a school place on Primary Offer Day - 16 April 2021.
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