There’s less than one week until the 15 January deadline to apply for a reception class place at an infant or primary school for a child starting school in September 2014.

All parents and carers living in Haringey with a child born between 1 September 2009 and 31 August 2010 must apply through Haringey Council for their child’s first school place, even if they want their child to attend a school out of the borough.

Most children go to school for the first time in the September at the start of the school year in which they become five. But even if a child is to start school in a later term, parents and carers must still apply for a place before 15 January 2014. By law, all children must start school no later than the term following their fifth birthday.

If a child is at nursery linked with an infant or primary school, they will not automatically continue into the reception year at the school where they attend nursery class – parents and carers must apply for a reception place.

Haringey Council has produced a booklet which provides details of all Haringey primary schools and fully explains the admissions process. The booklet can be found on the ‘Starting Primary School in 2013’ web pages on the council’s website www.haringey.gov.uk

The easiest way for parents and carers to apply for a school place is online via the ‘Starting Primary School in 2013’ web pages.

Applying online is easy and secure, and parents and carers can change their list of preferred schools as many times as they like before the deadline date. They will also receive email confirmation of their applications.

Online applicants will receive emailed school place offers the evening before posted letters are due to be received.

Cllr Ann Waters, Haringey Council’s Cabinet Member for Children, said parents and carers now had a fantastic choice of high performing local schools. She said:

“85 per cent of primary schools in Haringey are now rated as good or better and last year’s Key Stage 2 results show that three quarters of all Haringey primary school children are now reaching the national targets in reading, writing and maths; an increase from the previous year by two per cent.

“Always aim to list up to six schools on applications to increase the possibility of your child being offered a place at a school that you and they would be happy to go to. Parents and carers often have a fixed idea about which school they want their children to go to and only list that one school on the application form.

"Nominating only one school will not give your child any advantage in securing a place and there are plenty of fantastic schools across the borough to choose from.”

Parents and carers with a child born between 1 September 2006 and 31 August 2007 who attends infant school at one of the following schools:

Belmont; Rokesly; St. Francis De Sales Catholic; St. Peter-in-Chains Catholic; St. Mary’s Catholic; South Harringay

will need to apply for a place at the junior school connected to their infant school, or for another school where they would like their child to go to.

If a child’s current school is not listed, they stay there until they are 11 and there is no need for parents and carers to do anything.

If you have questions about the infant or primary school application process, contact the Haringey School Admissions Service on 020 8489 1000.

Application deadline: 15 January 2014
Offer day: 16 April 2014
Acceptance deadline: 30 April 2014
Appeal deadline: 23 May 2014