Mail warning over school applications AMENDED – DATE PARA 4 (Status: Press release) 17/10/09

OXFORDSHIRE parents who intend to make paper applications to Oxfordshire County Council for their children to start school or move onto secondary school are being advised not to post them because of the proposed Royal Mail strike.

This advice is being issued to try and prevent the possibility of application forms being held up in a probable backlog of mail which may not be delivered before the application submission deadlines.

WHEN ARE THE DEADLINES ?

Monday, November 2, 2009, for secondary school applications, and Friday, November 13 for primary school applications.

For secondary school paper applications, parents are advised to hand in their application at their child’s Oxfordshire primary school, or, if their child attends a primary school in a different county, or an independent school, to hand in the form at any community, voluntary controlled or voluntary aided primary school in the county.

Parents with children who are due to begin school in the academic year 2010-11, who wish to submit a paper application are advised to hand in their forms at one of the schools they have listed or at any other state-maintained primary school listed in the ‘Starting School’ leaflet.

Alternatively parents can apply online at www.oxfordshire.gov.uk/admissions or deliver the application forms in person to County Hall in New Road, Oxford.

Parents whose applications are received after the relevant deadline are less likely to receive an offer of a place for their child at one of the schools they have listed.