Applying for a secondary school place

• If you are a Southwark resident you must apply on Southwark's paper common application form (CAF) or online but can apply for schools in Southwark or any other borough. If you live in another borough you must complete the CAF for the borough in which you live, even if you would like to apply to a school in Southwark

• You may express a preference for up to six schools on the CAF whether they are in Southwark or in another borough

• You must complete a supplementary information form (SIF) if the school you have listed as one of your preferences requires this. The SIF will be available from the school and must be completed and returned directly to the school. Please check the individual deadline date for returning the SIF with each school

• If you are applying to a secondary school that uses banding as part of its oversubscription criteria, your child will be required to take a test. Please contact the school for further information

• If you would like to visit a secondary school in Southwark please view page 9 of the Starting secondary school in Southwark 2012/13 brochure to check dates for school open days and evenings

Where can I obtain a common application form?

You can start applying for a secondary school place for your child from 1 September 2011.  You can either:

• Apply online
• Download the secondary common application form
• Contact the school admissions team on 020 7525 5337 to request an application form to be posted to you

Where do I return the common application form?

You must return the common application form before the closing date 31 October 2011 (although we are encouraging applicants to submit their application no later than Friday 21 October to allow sufficient time for processing), either:

• Online.
• By hand to your child's Southwark primary school
• By hand to the Walworth one stop shop (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and Saturday 9am to 1pm)
• By hand to the Peckham one stop shop (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
• By hand to the Bermondsey one stop shop (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm)
• By post to the school admissions team (4th floor), children's services, Southwark council, PO BOX 64529, London SE1P 5LX

For further information please view our Starting secondary school in Southwark 2012/13 brochure.