Was your child born between 1 September 2007 and 31 August 2008?
If so, they can start primary school from September 2012, the beginning of the academic year after their 4th birthday.
You must make an application. If you do not, your child will not receive a school place.
When is the closing date for applications?
The closing date for applications is 15 January 2012. This is a national closing date.
Applications received after the closing date without exceptional reasons are not considered until all the applications received on time have been allocated.
How can I apply?
If you pay your Council Tax to Shropshire Council you must complete a Shropshire application form for your preferred school, whether the schools you want to apply to are in Shropshire or not.
If you apply for a school in another authority we shall forward your application details to the appropriate authority.
You will be able to apply online for a school place from 7 September 2011.
Alternatively, if you have received The Parents' Guide then an application form is in the back or you can download an application form from this page.
It is very important that you read The Parents' Guide to Education in Shropshire before making an application for a school. (See 'Online services and downloads' for a copy of this document.)
When will I find out which school my child has been allocated?
Letters advising you which school your child has been allocated will be sent second class on 11 April 2012.
As an Admission Authority we try to offer as many first preference places as possible.
For the 2011/12 applications which we received on time we offered 92.5 per cent of primary school applicants their first preference. Those who are not successful are usually those who live outside the school’s catchment area or those who apply late.
If you do not pay your Council Tax to Shropshire Council:
If you live in another English authority and wish to apply to a Shropshire Local Authority school, you must include it on the application form from your home authority (that is, where your council tax payments are made to).
To find details of neigbouring local authorities please follow the link on this page called 'Who you apply to for a school place.'
Additional information
The law states that children must start their education no later than the beginning of the term after their fifth birthday. However, your child can start earlier than this, in the September after their fourth birthday.
Under 'Related information'on this web page there are details about the admissions criteria, which is how primary school places are allocated. There is also a download which shows details of how primary school places were allocated in Shropshire schools for the 2011/2012 academic year.