For places starting in September 2014

Parents who want their children to start attending a Wandsworth primary school next September must make sure they submit their applications by the January 15th deadline.

This important deadline applies to all three and four-year-olds born between September 1, 2009 and August 31, 2010.

Parents who apply to a Wandsworth primary school can choose from some of the best in the country.

Last year Wandsworth’s primary schools achieved the fourth best combined Key Stage 2 English and maths results in England and Wales.

And the proportion of children progressing by at least two levels between Key Stages 1 and 2 is one of the highest in the country. Ninety six per cent of Wandsworth primary pupils improve by at least two stages in writing, while the proportion advancing two levels in reading and in maths both stand at 94 per cent – way above the national average.

School standards watchdog Ofsted currently rates 94 per cent of Wandsworth schools at both primary and secondary level as good or outstanding. In comparison only an average of 78 per cent of schools in other parts of the country, and 80 per cent in London have been given the same quality rating.

Since 2010, 25 extra reception classes have been opened at some of the most popular and highest achieving schools to meet the growing demand from parents for a place at a Wandsworth school.

And there is also much greater choice and diversity on offer for local parents with the launch of three new free schools, which all opened their doors at the start of the current academic year.

Education spokesman Cllr Kathy Tracey said:
“Parents will now be thinking very carefully about which primary schools they would like their children to start attending next September.To help them make this important decision, we have produced a brochure that contains lots of useful information about local schools and a simple step-by-step guide to admissions. I would strongly urge mums and dads to read a copy so that they fully understand what they need to do and when.

“Parents in Wandsworth are in the very fortunate position of having a lot of really fantastic schools to choose from. Our schools continue to strongly outperform others across the country, including London, and this is testament to the inspired work of headteachers, teachers, teaching assistants and governors to deliver the best possible education to our young people.

“Local parents can now also choose from the borough’s three new free schools which are already proving massively popular and are offering new and innovative ways of teaching and learning. This rich variety of choice and diversity and the very excellent standards of education now available at schools in every corner of the borough are qualities that parents in other parts of London can only dream about.”

Copies of the council’s brochure for parents - Choose a Wandsworth Primary School - are available from schools and nurseries and can be viewed online at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/admissions.

People can apply for a place at up to six state-run primary schools, including the borough’s new free schools, listing each one in order of preference. These schools can either be in Wandsworth or another borough, but parents must apply to the town hall of the borough in which they live.

Once they have made their choices, the easiest way for parents to submit their application is to do it online at www.wandsworth.gov.uk/admissions. Alternatively they can fill in the application form that’s contained in the council’s brochure.

Anyone who wishes to apply for a place at a church or faith school will need to study that school’s admission criteria carefully to make sure they will be eligible for a place.

And parents are being reminded that even if their children are already enrolled in a nursery class at a local primary school, they must still apply for a place in a reception class. Attending a nursery class does not automatically mean their child will be eligible for a place in the reception class or that they will be offered a place at the same school.

December 19, 2013