Newcastle City Council - Admissions updates

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Open days and school visits

Before applying we suggest you make an appointment to visit the school you are interested in. Take a look at our school pages to read further information about Ofsted reports and performance tables. Most secondary schools hold opens days for parents and carers to visit. Please contact the school for more information.

Before you apply for a school place

The majority of parents in Newcastle are offered a place in a reception class at one of their preferred schools.  Last year over 84% of reception applicants were offered their first preference school. 

• Allocations for first and primary school places for September 2011 (pdf)
• Allocations for middle, secondary and high school places for September 2011 (pdf)

To increase your chances of gaining a place at one of your preferred schools there are some important points you should remember.

• Before you submit your application make sure you have read and understood the admissions guidance and admission policies for each school you are interested in and think about how this applies to your child. Admission policies can be found on the individual school pages.
• Make realistic choices.  Use the school information from the previous year as a guide.  Try not to decide on the basis of other people’s opinions.  Instead visit the schools you are interested in before you apply, but please make an appointment first. Think about your nearest schools and look at the information on individual schools on our website.
• The easiest way is to apply online for a school place.
• Use all your preferences on the form. Don’t waste the opportunity to be considered for other schools.  Every year we have to offer alternative places because parents have only put one preference on their form.
• Remember that attendance in a nursery class does not guarantee a place in the school.
• The closing date and time for reception admission for September 2012 is midnight on 15 January 2012. If you apply after the closing date you are unlikely to be offered a place at your preferred school.
• The closing date and time for transferring to middle, secondary and high school for September 2012 is 31 October 2011. If you apply after the closing date you are unlikely to be offered a place at your preferred school.