PARENTS of children aged four between between now and August 31 next year can now submit applications for next year’s school places.

People have until midnight on January 15 to make an application for a school place. This is also the closing date for applications for a junior school place (Year 3).

Peter Edgar, Hampshire County Council’s executive member for education, said: “Starting school is a huge milestone for children and an exciting, although sometimes daunting, time for their parents. It’s important for Hampshire parents to ensure they have completed and submitted their application by the deadline to ensure their child is able to start school next September. Missing the deadline could mean missing out on a place at your local school.”

In 2016, the county council’s admissions service processed almost 15,000 applications for primary school places. Almost 90 percent of parents applying were allocated a school place for their child at their first preference school, with more than 97 percent being offered a place at one of their three preferred schools.

Mr Edgar continued: “In common with the national picture, demand for school places is growing. We want to be able to ensure children can go to a school near to where they live and we have been working hard to increase capacity at primary schools in areas where demand is highest.

“Earlier this year we embarked on one of our largest ever children’s services capital programmes, with investment in new school places valued at £308m. Over the past three years, and by the end of 2016, the county council will have delivered more than 6,300 new school places. Projects identified in the three-year forward programme, to 2019, will deliver a further 11,000 new school places across the county.”

Residents can apply for a school place online, where they will also find useful information about the application process and details of Hampshire schools.

Applying online is easy, secure and allows people to make changes to their application right up to the closing date. Parents will be notified of the outcome of their application by e-mail.

Alternatively, parents can apply for a paper application form which is available from all Hampshire maintained schools and academies, or by calling 0300 555 1377. Anyone needing help should check the school admissions guidance online or call 0300 5551377.