PARENTS of children about to start primary or junior school in Alcester and surrounding villages for September 2014, are being reminded that their applications need to be submitted by Wednesday, January 15.

Parents will then receive letters on April 16 confirming the offer of a school place, and they’ll have two weeks to accept or decline.

There will also be an opportunity for parents unhappy with the offer they receive to appeal the decision.

Councillor Heather Timms, portfolio holder for children and schools at Warwickshire County Council, said: “We want parents to have the best chance of getting their preferred school place for their child so it’s important to submit school preferences on time. Applications received after the deadline will be considered as late and places will be allocated after those which reached us on time.

“Our admissions service will offer approximately 6,000 primary places this year. For children starting reception in 2013, 88.57 per cent of all on-time applicants including out of catchment area were offered their first choice of school. This was an increase over the previous year which was 87.5 per cent and Warwickshire compares well with other local authorities.”

Schools will accommodate new pupils based on open, transparent and fair criteria, giving places first children in care, then children living in a school’s priority area.

Coun Timms added: “Every year we accommodate the vast majority of families’ preferences. Understandably we are challenged when things do not work out but we continually strive to achieve an admissions process which is fair to all families.

“As part of these efforts we are investigating the potential impacts of reviewing some aspects of urban catchment areas where demand for places is high and where there are more than five schools in a two-mile radius. An initial consultation around a potential scheme of what is being called a ‘Super Priority Area’ for schools in Warwick has been launched for admissions in September 2015.”

Applications can be filled out online at warwickshire.gov.uk/admissions or over the phone by calling 01926 742037, but they must be received by the January 15 deadline.

For more information on the application process write to admissions@warwickshire.gov.uk or call 01926 742047.