Parents and carers can now apply for primary and secondary school places for September 2019.

How do I apply?

Parents and carers should apply online on Suffolk County Council’s website. Applying online means the council can confirm they have received your application.

If parents and carers are unable to apply online they should apply on a paper CAF1 application form.

Suffolk County Council cannot confirm the receipt of paper applications and suggest that proof of posting is obtained.

When is the deadline?

The deadline for applications to secure a place at a Suffolk secondary school is Wednesday 31 October 2018 and for a primary school it is Wednesday 15 January 2019.

Secondary schools include high and upper schools and primary schools includes infant, junior and middle schools.

A completed application must be submitted for every child wanting a secondary school place or a primary school place from September 2019.

How likely is my child to get into their top choice?

Last year, Suffolk County Council received over 15,000 applications from parents and carers indicating which school they would prefer their child to be educated at from September 2018.

93% of applicants received offers for their first preference school and more than 98% of applicants received an offer for one of their top three preferred schools.

What if I am about to move house?

If you are planning to move house or you think your circumstances may change before September, it is still important to make an application on time.

What about school transport?

This year, parents and carers will also need to consider the changes to Suffolk’s School Travel Policy, which were agreed by Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet on June 19 2018. The new policy will assess eligibility for funded school travel to the nearest suitable school with a place available.

What happens next?

Families who apply online will be able to log on to the Online Service on the National Offer Day, Friday 1 March 2019 for secondary school places and Tuesday 16 April for primary school places to see their offer of a school place, and they will receive an email to confirm this offer on the same day.

Offer letters will be sent by second class post to applicants, who made a paper application.

Gordon Jones, Suffolk County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills, said: “Making the right school choice is one of the most important decisions a parent makes on behalf of their child.

“I would urge all parents and carers to complete and submit their application by the closing date of 31 October 2018 for a secondary school place and 15 January 2019 for a primary school place to give their child the best chance of getting in to one of their preferred schools.

“Parents and carers can list up to three schools on their application form and we recommend applying for more than one school.”

To find out more information about making an application visit the county council’s website.