Primary school places: applications for new pupils must be made by 15 January 2019

The school admissions application process for new reception and junior school places in September 2019 is now open.

The application deadline is 15th January 2019. Cornwall Council is urging families to submit application forms by this date to give children the best possible chance of being placed at their preferred school.

Parents who miss the application deadline reduce their chances of getting one of their preferred schools because their forms will not be dealt with until after all the other applications have been processed.

Parents with a child born between 1 September 2014 and 31 August 2015 will need to apply for a reception school place for September 2019.

Parents with a child who is currently in year two at an infant-only school will need to apply for a place in year three at a junior for September 2019.

This year, 95% of parents in Cornwall were offered a place for their child at their first preference school and nearly 99% were offered a place in one of their top three. In light of increasing pressure on primary and junior school places nationally, this is good news for children and families in Cornwall.

Late applications are always a concern for the Council as they reduce the chances of families getting a preferred school. The School Admissions team at Cornwall Council in partnership with the Family Information Service is working hard to get the message out to families through their various channels including social media and early years providers.

Extra help is available from the Council for those who struggle with the process.

Cornwall Council’s portfolio holder for children and wellbeing, Sally Hawken said: ”Starting school or transferring to junior school are important school milestones for families and we want to make applying for a place as easy as possible. Visiting the school you prefer is a good opportunity to meet teachers and pupils and ask lots of practical questions to help get your child ready for their first day and help them to adjust to a whole new routine. For those families who need extra help in navigating their way around the admissions process, support is available through the Family Information Service. If you find yourself in a situation where you need advice about filling in the applications form, this service can really help."

There is detailed information about schools admissions on the Cornwall Council website here

You can email the school admissions team at schoolsadmissions@cornwall.gov.uk

A choice adviser can be contacted through the family information service 0800 5878191 or at fis@cornwall.gov.uk

November 2018