Whilst the deadline for parents of village youngsters to apply for their Secondary School places outside Ruddington in 2023/2024 has now passed, the process for Infant and Primary children hoping they’ll be schooled here is only just beginning.
Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC) has announced that applications are now open for kids starting in reception and children due to transfer from an infant school to junior education (Year 3) in September 2023. For children who will turn five years old between 1st September 2023 and 31st August 2024, and for those children transferring from infant (Year 2) to junior or primary school (Year 3), parents and carers have until Sunday, 15th January 2023 to complete their application on time.
If you’re keen for your child to attend either Ruddington’s James Peacock Infant & Nursery School in Manor Park or St Peter’s Junior School on Ashworth Avenue you’re encouraged to apply as soon as possible, so you don’t miss out.
The County Council suggests the easiest way is for you to complete the application form online >>HERE<<. It advises that online applications can then be amended at any time before the closing date, and parents can access their school offer on ‘National Offer Day’ itself before any offer letters are mailed out. Parents who do not have internet access, or don’t like doing things online, can telephone 0300 500 80 80 to apply instead.
Councillor Tracey Taylor, NCC’s Cabinet Member for children and young people, says: “We have a good track record of getting children a place at one of their preferred schools. Last year, over 99% of families in Nottinghamshire who applied on time were allocated one of their four preference infant, primary or junior schools. Whilst we continue to work very hard to meet a parental preference, there are some important factors parents and carers should consider before they apply. They should apply on time, understand the criteria for each school they include, list four realistic preferences and, if possible, visit local schools before applying.”
Any applications received after the closing date, or any changes to preferences received after the closing date, are considered as late applications and will be processed only after all on-time applications have been offered. Albeit you’re likely to want to list Ruddington as your first choice, for the best chance of being offered a place they are happy with, the council advises parents and carers to list four schools and to include schools where children would meet the higher eligibility criteria for admission.
It adds there is no guarantee that a child who attends a school’s foundation unit, nursery class or early years’ group will get a place in reception at that same school. Admission to school at Reception age is a regulated process, so parents must make a formal application for a place. Likewise, if a child is in year 2 at an infant school, there is no automatic transfer to year 3 at junior or primary.
Those who apply online will be able to log in to their account on National Offer Day, Monday, 17th April 2023, to view the outcome of their application. If parents provide an email address, the outcome will be sent by email. All other applications will be mailed by second class post on National Offer Day.
For more information, and to apply for a school place, you should visit www.nottinghamshire.gov.uk/admissions.
