Applications now open for secondary school places in Leeds

Parents across Leeds are being reminded to get their applications in for their child’s secondary school place for next September.

Cockburn School in Beeston

Although it is only early in the summer holidays, families with children starting secondary school in September 2019 can already start applying for their child’s school place. Schools will be holding open evenings for children, parents and carers to look around and talk to staff in September and October.

Parents and carers are being encouraged to visit Leeds City Council’s website – www.leeds.gov.uk to complete an online application for their child’s secondary school place, before the closing date of 31 October 2018. For those applying online, offers will be emailed on 1 March 2019.

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, executive member for learning, skills and employment, said:

“Deciding which school is best for your child is an important decision and, with so many good schools in Leeds, is not an easy one to make. A lot of work has gone into making the admissions process as straight forward as possible and the online form is quick and easy to fill in.

“It is very important that families list five schools they wish their children to attend – in order of preference, to give them the best chance of attending a preferred school. We also strongly advise parents to include their nearest priority school to maximise their chances of getting a local place.”

The online application process is easy and secure, however if you don’t have access to online facilities please phone (0113) 222 4414 to discuss the options available.

To help parents and carers make their preferences, a range of information is available both directly from schools and from the council. Schools will provide information about their own admissions policy, open events, transport and uniform information. The admissions pages of the council website provide details about previous allocation rounds including maps showing furthest allocation distances, links to OfSTED reports and information and links to each school as well as further details about admissions policies. This information is provided to help parents submit preferences for schools where they have a realistic chance of being offered a place.

To find out their nearest priority school, or for any other help and advice, parents can call the admissions team on (0113) 222 4414.

Parents are also reminded that they must apply for a school place using the address where their child lives for the majority of the time.