Is it better to put more than one choice of school?

Yes, it is best to put down three ‘choices’ on your school application form.

 

If you only put down one school (or put the same school three times), the local authority will not give you priority when allocating places.

 

If you have not expressed a second/third preference and there is no availability at your first-choice school, the Local Authority will offer you an alternative school with places available.

 

This may not be another local school to you, it could be the nearest school within the county, with available places.

 

It is worth knowing…By law, parents have the chance to state their preference for the school they wish their child to attend. Parents do not, however, get to "choose" the school for their child. The Local Authority will allocate places based on admissions criteria.

 

Tip - Check to see if you match the school’s admissions criteria. Criteria is usually based on distance, whether siblings attend or specific criteria such as Christian denomination.

 

Considering your preferences

To ensure that you are in the best position to make an informed decision on which schools to put on your child’s school application, we recommend doing your research.

 

Do not decide based on what you think you know or what other people say about it. Look at how the school has performed recently and what they offer in terms of curriculum, learning support, extra-curricular and wraparound care.

 

Look at school websites and social media. Most importantly visit all your local schools to meet the staff, see the facilities and get an idea about what school life is like.

 

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