PARENTS across Dudley borough are being urged to start their applications for 2017 primary and secondary school places.

Children born between September 1, 2012, and August 31, 2013, are due to start primary school in September 2017 and Dudley Council’s application form is now available online and will remain until the closing date of Sunday, January 15, 2017.

While the closing date for secondary school applications – for children born between September 1, 2005, and August 31, 2006 – is the much sooner date of Monday, October 31.

Councillor Ian Cooper, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “Application forms for children starting both primary and secondary school are now available on line, along with all the information they need about the schools in the borough.

“The online application is quick and easy, safe and secure and you will receive your school offer promptly by email on ‘offer day’.

“I’d encourage parents to attend school open days and evenings before making their own informed choices and to submit an application in good time.”

School places at both primary and secondary schools in the borough are allocated in accordance with admission arrangements, so parents should not assume their child will get a place at a local school without following the application process, even where an older child is already attending a school.

For more information on the admissions process, including a parent’s guide to school admissions, as well as the application forms, visit www.dudley.gov.uk/admissions