September 10, 2012 4.56 pm This story is over 146 months old

Applications for Lincolnshire secondary schools open

School admissions: Many schools are becoming academies across Lincolnshire but the system for applying for a place hasn’t changed.

Many schools are becoming academies across Lincolnshire, but the system for applying for a place hasn’t changed.

Lincolnshire County Council opened the application process for primary and secondary schools across the county.

Parents need to apply for a school place a year in advance, so any children moving from primary to secondary in 2013 should apply from September 10.

Parents with children transferring to secondary school in September 2013 are being advised to make sure they have their application packs and apply online by the deadline of October 31, 2012.

Last year, 95% of parents applied for a school place online, and it’s now the preferred method of choosing a school. For a reception place, parents can apply from November 19.

The the online application portal is at lincolnshire.gov.uk/schooladmissions.

Lincolnshire County Council expects about 7,300 secondary applications, which can be dealt with provided parents send them back on time.

Parents can log on at midnight from March 1 to find out the school offered to their children. If parents don’t have a computer, they can apply by phone on 01522 782030 or can ask for an application pack.

Councillor Mrs Patricia Bradwell, Executive Councillor for Children’s Services, explained: “We have over 90% of children being given their first preference and there is no reason why this should not continue next year.”

Parents should ask their primary school about any 11+ arrangements. Parents of children in year 6 are told by letter where they can get free home to school transport and this may be an important consideration for choosing a secondary school.

Schools can only look at applications which put it as a first preference – all offers are made by referring to the published admission policy. No school can ask parents what school they put down as first preference.