Applications for secondary school places in Warwickshire are now open, as Year Six children return to school this week.

Parents and carers must apply by October 31 to make sure their child receives an offer on National Offer Day next March.

Up to six preferences for a school can be submitted, with parents and carers encouraged to submit all six to increase their chances of a place at a preferred school.

Any applications submitted after the 31 October deadline will only be considered once those submitted on time have been made offers, by which time many schools will be full and the child is much less likely to be offered a place at their preferred school.

Last year almost 7,500 children applied for secondary school places in Warwickshire, with 97 per cent of the applications made online.

Cllr Jeff Morgan, portfolio holder for children,familiesand education, said: "Making the move to secondary school is a big step and I'd encourage parents and carers to do their research into their options.

"We have a useful tool on our website that allows parents and carers to find their priority area school and if possible, it's usually a good idea to visit those schools in which you are interested to find out more about them.

"I'd also encourage parents and carers to look at the admissions criteria for each school they want to apply for, consider how their child might travel to and from school each day, and read all the available information to make an informed application."

Applications can be submitted online here.

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