Council urges parents to meet the primary school admissions deadline

As part of the drive to make the process even easier, quicker and more flexible, the council is encouraging people to apply online.

One of the benefits of doing so is that once an application is submitted, parents will receive an automatic receipt immediately to confirm it has been received.

The council website also offers top tips and a detailed question and answer page on how to apply.

For instance, getting an application before the closing date of 15 January 2011 is vital if parents are to have the best chance of getting their child in to the school of their choice.

Catherine McDonald, cabinet member for children's services at Southwark Council said: "There's no better time to be a pupil in Southwark. In our primary schools results in English and maths are among the best in London. This year, more than four out of five primary pupils received places at their first choice with 95% receiving one of their top preferences. I'd urge parents to get their applications in on time as a late application decreases the chances of getting your preferred choice."

Key dates

These are important deadlines which you will need to keep in mind. If you miss these dates, your chances of being offered a place at a preferred school may be reduced.

Saturday 15 January 2011: Closing date for applications

Monday 4 April 2011: Notification of offers sent to all parents/carers. For those who have applied online, the offer details will be available on the eAdmissions website.

Tuesday 19 April 2011: Parents must accept the offer of a primary school place by this date.

Brochure

Brochures, which contain information on Southwark primary schools and how to apply, are available at nurseries, primary schools, one stop shops  libraries and available to download online.

The brochure provides parents with information on Southwark primary schools including their admissions criteria, key dates and the primary admissions process.

If parents are applying for a school place for the first time, the good news is that Southwark schools continue to improve and most families now have a choice of several good local primaries. A number of school buildings are being refurbished as part of the Building Schools for the Future programme.

In addition, from next September free healthy school meals will be offered to all primary schools in Southwark - initially in specific year groups and thereafter will be rolled out to all primary year groups.

Tips for parents

1. Do your research - start finding out about schools now and visit as many as possible;
2. Look carefully at each school's admissions criteria and be realistic about whether your child meets them;
3. Decide on your preferences. You may state up to six schools on your application form - rank the schools you've chosen in order of preference;
4. Get your application in on time - the safest way to make sure your application gets in on time, and is received by the schools admissions team, is to apply online at www.southwark.gov.uk/schooladmissions

Contact the schools preference adviser for impartial advice on 020 7525 5211 or visit www.southwarkparentpartnership.co.uk

(Southwark libraries and one stop shops offer free internet access. Call 020 7525 2000 to find your local one).

Admissions facts

This year saw almost every parent who applied for a primary school place for their child in Southwark offered a place in one of their preferred schools. Some 95% were successful in securing a place for their child in their preferred school. This is an increase of nearly 14% from 2009 and means that almost 300 more children than last year will go to a Southwark school of their choice.

Southwark Council has been working closely with local schools and has been planning ahead to offer additional classes for local children. The tiny minority of parents who were not offered a place in one of their preferred schools will also include non Southwark residents who have unsuccessfully applied for a place in one of the borough's primaries.

Southwark primary school facts

• Newly refurbished Michael Faraday school building is now open.
• Two other newly refurbished primary schools will be opened in Southwark over the next two years. Eveline Lowe and Southwark Park
• Southwark primary schools over the last four years have gone from 150th in the national league tables (the bottom 10) to the top 25% of all local authorities, outperforming both national averages and the achievements of our statistical neighbours
• These results put Southwark in the top ten of the most improved boroughs in England (for both primary and secondary)