Last updated at 13:56, Friday, 28 October 2011

September 2012 may seem like a long way off but for many parents across West Cumbria it’s very much on their mind.

It’s time for parents to start looking at the schools for their youngsters to apply to.

Your child must receive a full-time education from the start of the term after their fifth birthday. This is often referred to as being of statutory school age.

In Cumbria, children can begin their primary education the September following their fourth birthday.

If you live in Cumbria and your child was born between September 1 2007 and August 31 2008, you must apply to your local authority for a school place, under the local authority’s co-ordinated admissions scheme.

Cumbria County Council has produced a booklet Starting School in Cumbria – September, 2012, which is available at schools and libraries and from www.cumbria. gov. uk/schooladmissions.

On the admission form you must put three schools you would be happy for your child to attend and the deadline for applications is January 15.

You can apply for a place online or by filling in the form SA1 and return it.

You should post the paper application to your preferred school.

You will receive an email confirming your application has been received if you apply online.

On April 30 2012, you will be sent an email or posted a letter offering you a school place.

If you’re unhappy with the school you’ve been allocated there’ll be information in the letter explaining the appeal process.

You should check the admission policy for the schools you’re considering applying for to see which level of priority you would have.

If you’re unsure of the catchment area you live in, check with the school admissions team.

Also check the school transport policy.

You should check if any of the schools you’re applying for need a supplementary application form and if they do you should fill it in and return it to the school.

This might be the case if you’re applying to a church school and they need you to prove you’re a regular worshipper.

Contacts for the admissions and appeals team for Copeland and Allerdale are 01228 221582.

First published at 11:10, Thursday, 27 October 2011
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk