Plymouth City Council are urging parents to make sure they have indicated their preferences for schools for children who are due to start at primary school for the first time (or junior school having completed Year 2 in an infant school) in September 2012.

The deadline for primary and junior school admission preferences is Sunday 15 January and Plymouth City Council is asking parents not to leave their applications until the last minute.

The easiest way to apply for a place is online through the school admissions pages of the Council’s website, where you will find full details on how to apply and how the admissions system works.

Each school now has its own admission criteria, as traditional catchment areas no longer exist, so it’s important to look at the information relating to specific schools in the admission guidance booklet also on the web.

Parents are warned if they apply late there is a risk that all the places at their preferred schools will be filled by applicants who applied on time.

For more information call the Council’s school admissions team on 01752 307166 for primary and junior school transfers.