PARENTS and carers of Year 6 pupils are being reminded it is time to apply for their child’s secondary school place for September 2023.

The window for secondary school applications opened yesterday (Monday 12 September) and runs until the national closing date of 31 October 2022.

Parents and carers can submit their applications at www.essex.gov.uk/admissions, with the website also featuring information on different schools and their admissions criteria.

Cllr Tony Ball, Essex County Council Cabinet Member for Education Excellence, Lifelong Learning and Employability, said: “Parents of Year 6 students across Essex are now able to submit their applications for secondary school places and I would urge them to do so before the national closing date of 31 October.

“Applying for secondary school is a big step for all parents and marks an exciting and important milestone in a child’s life.

“Last year we were able to offer 94% of pupils their parents’ first or second preference of secondary school. This impressive figure shows our commitment to investing in school places across Essex.

“We’re keen to maintain our excellent record of securing preferred places for Year 7 pupils in Essex again next year, but we can only do this if parents complete their child’s secondary school place application correctly and by the deadline.”

The 31 October deadline for applications is a national deadline. Applications made after this date will be considered once all on-time applications have been determined. This means applying late could reduce the chance of a child being offered a place at their preferred school.

Parents are encouraged to visit their preferred school, carefully consider each school’s admissions criteria, consider how their child will get to and from school, and use all six preferences on their application.