Parents and carers of children due to start primary school in September 2018 can apply for their child’s place on Friday 17 November.
Anyone with children born between 1 September 2013 and 31 August 2014 must fill in an application form before 15 January 2018.
Parents are being reminded that it is important to use all their preferences, including their catchment school to help improve the likelihood of securing one of their preferred choices.
The rise in birth rate has meant that there is now high demand on the city’s schools. Nottingham City Council has worked hard to make sure there are enough places for every child in Nottingham.
Figures show the number of Nottingham children getting a place at their preferred school increased last year by 2%. The percentage of children getting their first or second preference was 92.8%.
Since 2009, an extra 4,000 primary places have been created. The council has invested more than £40 million to make schools bigger with modern facilities and work environments for pupils.
Primary schools that have expanded recently are Fernwood in Wollaton, Bluecoat in Bilborough, Mellers in Radford, South Wilford in Wilford, Whitegate in Clifton and Nottingham Academy. And primary schools that will be expanded over the next few years are Westbury in Bilborough, Glade Hill in Bestwood and Middleton in Wollaton.
Councillor Sam Webster, Portfolio Holder for Business, Education and Skills at Nottingham City Council, said: “Choosing a school for your child is one of the most important decisions a parent can make. While we’ve made the application process as simple as possible, please read the requirements carefully, use all your available preferences and make sure we receive it by 15 January 2018.
“The City Council has made sure that there are enough primary school places to meet with the current and future demand. We are continuing to plan for future years, but parents can help us in the primary admissions process.”
Councillor Webster added: “Nottingham City Council has been working to increase capacity in city schools since 2009 to help more parents get a place at their preferred school.
“Our £40m investment in additional school places has added around 4,000 extra. This year more than 90% of parents got their first or second-choice primary or secondary school, so we know that this commitment has made a huge difference to families in Nottingham.”
How to apply
The quickest and easiest way to apply is online but parents can also apply using a paper form.
For children due to start at infant or primary school, if parents have already registered their child’s details, an application pack with more details will be sent to them on 17 November 2017.
If parents have not yet registered their child’s details with the council, or would like to find out more information about the application process, they can do so online at https://www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/education-and-schools/school-admissions/apply-for-a-reception-year-place-at-infant-or-primary-school-or-a-year-3-place-at-junior-school-for-september-2018/.
For help with applications, contact the school admissions team by email schooladmissions@nottinghamcity.gov.uk, or by telephone 0115 841 5568, or online www.nottinghamcity.gov.uk/schooladmissions.
Parents will hear by email or letter what their offer is on 16 April 2018.