News, events and schools' information for families across Bath and West Wiltshire

Parents and carers of children in Bath & North East Somerset who are currently in Year 6 are being reminded that the deadline for applying for a secondary school place for September 2020 is fast approaching.

Bath & North East Somerset Council is urging people who are applying for a secondary school place by the deadline of 31 October to list five preferences available to them, to avoid their child being offered a place at a school some distance away.

Councillor Kevin Guy, cabinet member for Children’s Services, said, “This year 88% of parents across Bath and North East Somerset obtained their first preference school, with 97.2% offered one of their first five preferences.

“Using all five preferences will help parents to ensure their child gains a place at a school within reasonable travelling distance from home. People could approach it by naming three schools but then adding in two reserves just in case, or make a list of all 12 mainstream secondary schools across Bath & North East Somerset in order of preference, then tell us the top five. This will give their child the best chance of attending a school that is reasonably local to where they live.”

Bath & North East Somerset Council must receive all applications by 31 October. Late applications will not be considered until the second round of allocations next May. Applications can be made via the Admissions Online link on the council’s website www.bathnes.gov.uk/admissions

Applications must be made to the local authority in which you live even if you are wishing to be considered for a place at a school situated within a different local authority area.

Each preference is considered equally against the school’s admissions criteria regardless of whether it is listed as the first, second, third, fourth or fifth preference.

The highest preference school is always given first consideration.

Offers of places will be made on 2 March 2020.