Parents urged to sign-up for primary school places or risk losing out

Rochdale Borough Council is holding dedicated surgeries to help parents sign-up their children for primary school, after more than 350 late applications last year left many losing out on their preferred schools.

Staff and advisors at Sure Start Centres in some of the hardest hit areas of the borough will be on hand to help parents complete the forms or submit the applications online.

Parents with children due to start reception class in September 2014 have until 15 January 2014 to apply or risk their children missing out on their favoured placement.

Last year, over 350 parents either didn’t submit, or were late with their application. Regardless of whether parents already have another child at the school, the council still requires an application for all children due to start in September 2104.

Councillor Donna Martin, Cabinet Member for Children, Schools and Families, said:
“I can’t stress enough how important it is to make sure applications reach us on time. Parents who have not yet applied must do so in good time to ensure that their child doesn’t miss out on a place at their preferred schools.

“This year we will be giving parents extra help to make sure they get their applications in on time with drop-in sessions being held at a number of Sure Start Centres.”

The drop in sessions will be held at:

Langley Children’s Centre, Windermere Road, Middleton M24 4LA on 24 October 1pm-3pm & 16 December 4.30pm-6pm

Castleton Children’s Centre, Melville Street, Rochdale OL11 2PL on 14 November, 12pm-2pm

Sudden and Brimrod Community Centre, 11-23 Cheltenham St, Rochdale, OL11 3QJ on 4 November 12pm-2pm & 2 December 6pm-7.30pm

Derby Street Children’s Centre, Derby Street, Heywood OL10 4QJ on 18 November, 12pm-2pm

Parents can also apply online 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, right up to the closing date or request an application form by phoning 01706 925982.