Parents whose children are due to start primary or secondary school next year can start applying for a place from next week.
Durham County Council will be accepting applications for the 2020/21 school year from Thursday, 12 September 2019.
Graeme Plews, school places and admissions manager, said: “We strongly encourage parents to apply in good time, and online if possible, to reduce the number of late applications and to help parents get their preferred school.”
For children born between 1 September 2015 and 31 August 2016, parents need to complete an application form stating which primary school they would like their child to attend.
Families will still need to apply even if they have an older child attending the same school. They must also complete an application form for older children wishing to attend a junior school from September 2020.
The deadline for applications for primary and junior schools is midnight on Wednesday, 15 January 2020.
For children born between 1 September 2008 and 31 August 2009, parents need to complete an application form stating which secondary school they would like their child to attend.
The deadline for secondary school applications is midnight on Thursday 31 October 2019.
Application forms are available at www.durham.gov.uk/schooladmissions, where parents will also find essential advice to help with their application.
Paper applications are also available on request by contacting Durham County Council’s school admissions team on 03000 265 896.
