Children due to start primary school in September 2021 can now apply for a place at their chosen school.
Applications, made through Rotherham Council, are open to children who were born on or between 1 September 2016 and 31 August 2017 and are resident in Rotherham.
Parents and carers have up until 15 January 2021 to apply for up to three schools of their preference. Applications can be made online, with parents and carers able to amend their application up until the January deadline. For those unable to apply online, paper copies of the application form are also available.
Following the closing date, applications are considered based on a number of criteria and parents and carers will be notified of their allocated school on National Offer Day which, this year, will be on 16 April 2021.
Anyone who applies after the closing date will be less likely to be offered a place at their preferred school. Children who cannot be accommodated at their chosen schools will be offered a place at either a school in their catchment area or the next nearest school with places available.
Children who attend a school nursery or Foundation Stage 1 must also apply as they are not automatically allocated a primary place at the school they attend.
Councillor Gordon Watson, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Young People’s Services at Rotherham Council said: “I know as a parent myself how desperate you are to get your child your preferred school to make sure their transition into school life is as easy as possible for them.
"Our aim as a council is to give every child the best start in life and giving them access to good quality education on their doorstep is integral to that.”
This September, despite an increase in demand for primary school places, 93.9% of children in Rotherham were offered a place at their first choice school and 98.3% offered one of their three preferences.
Assistant Director for Education at Rotherham Council, Pepe Di’lasio said: "I am proud that we have been above the national average for the last ten years in regards to primary school places and I am confident Rotherham will remain amongst the highest performing authorities in the region.
“However, demand for school places, locally and nationally, remains high, which makes school place planning challenging. It is crucial that parents and carers apply for their preferred choices before the deadline to avoid disappointment.”
Visit the Rotherham schools webpage for more information or to apply online. For more information on the application process call the Admissions Team on 01709 823777.