Last few days to submit primary school applications

The crucial deadline is Saturday, January 15. This date applies to all children born between September 1, 2017 and August 31, 2018.

Lots of useful information about how the admissions system works is available on the council’s website including the latest copy of Choose a Wandsworth Primary School – a helpful brochure specially produced to offer parents a step by step guide through the whole process.

Parents can apply for a place at up to six state-run primary schools listing each one in order of preference. These schools can either be in Wandsworth or another borough, but wherever these schools are, parents must submit their applications to their own local council.

Once they have made their choices, the easiest way to apply for a school place is to do it online.

Alternatively a paper application can be downloaded from the website and printed off. People who choose to submit a paper application must ensure it reaches the town hall in time for the January 15 deadline.

Anyone who wishes to apply for a place at a church or faith school will need to study that school’s admission criteria carefully to make sure they would be eligible for a place.

And parents are being reminded that even if their children are already enrolled in a nursery class at a local primary school, they must still apply for a place in a reception class. Attending a nursery class does not automatically mean their child will be eligible for a place in the reception class or that they will be offered a place at the same school.

Nearly every child being taught in a Wandsworth primary school is attending either a good or an outstanding one, according to education standards watchdog Ofsted. Currently 93 per cent of Wandsworth’s primary schools are classed as either good or outstanding.

Parents will be informed the outcome of their applications on April 19.

Education spokesman Cllr Will Sweet said: “Parents in Wandsworth have some really excellent schools to choose from.

“Our primaries continue to strongly outperform others across the country, including London, and this is testament to the inspired work of headteachers, teachers, teaching assistants and governors to deliver the best possible education to our young people.”

For more information, help and advice visit www.wandsworth.gov.uk/admissions or contact the Pupil Services team by emailing admissions@wandsworth.gov.uk or calling (020) 8871 7316.