News-Reminder to apply for secondary school places

Published October 21, 2024 10.07am

Parents in County Durham are being reminded they are running out of time to apply for secondary school places for their children.

Apply ahead of the deadline

The deadline for applications for the next academic year, which starts in September 2025, is Thursday 31 October 2024.

For a child to be eligible to start secondary school in September 2025, their birthday must fall between 1 September 2013 and 31 August 2014.

Cllr Ted Henderson, Cabinet member for children and young people's services, said: "For parents, the decision of which school to send their child to is, understandably, a big one. We would urge parents to make sure they apply by the deadline as a late application greatly reduces their chances of getting into a preferred school."

How to apply

Applications can be made online - - or by post. If posting, the form should be sent back using signed for or special delivery services.

Application forms can also be requested by phoning 03000 265 896 or by writing to the School Places and Admissions Team at Education Development Centre, Enterprise Way, Spennymoor DL16 6YP.

Offers of places will be made to parents on 3 March 2025.

For applications completed online, offers will be received by email. For applications sent by post, offers will be received by letter. These should arrive by no later than 5 March 2025.