Parents and carers have until Saturday 31 October 2020 to submit an application to secure their child's place at a secondary school for September 2021. This includes high and upper schools.

Last year, Suffolk County Council received 7,831 applications from parents and carers indicating which secondary school they would prefer their child to be educated at from September 2020 in Year 7.

91% of applicants received offers for their first preference school and 97% of applicants received an offer for one of their top three preferred schools.

Before making a school application, parents and carers need to consider how they will get their child to and from school. School Travel eligibility is based on a child attending the nearest suitable school that would have had a place available.

This might not be the catchment area school. To find out more about SCC's school travel policy please visit www.suffolkonboard.com/schooltravel.

Councillor Mary Evans, Suffolk County Council's Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Education and Skills, said: "Moving from primary to secondary education is a big step in any child's life and making the right school preference is one of the most important decisions a parent makes on behalf of their child.

"I would urge all parents and carers to complete and submit their application by the closing date of 31 October 2020 to give them the best chance of securing a place at one of their preferred schools.

"Parents and carers can list up to three schools on the application form and we recommend applying for more than one school."

A completed application must be submitted for every child requiring a Year 7 place at a high school or a Year 9 place at an upper school from September 2021.

If you are planning to move house or you think your circumstances may change before September, it is still important to make an application on time.

Where possible, parents and carers should apply online where they will receive a confirmation email of their application. Completing a paper application (CAF1) is possible, however these cannot be acknowledged, so it is suggested parents and carers obtain proof of postage.

Families who apply online will be able to log on to the Online Service on the National Offer Day (Monday 1 March 2021) to see their offer of a school place, an email confirmation will also be sent on the day.

For those who completed paper applications, offer letters will be sent out by second class post on the National Offer Day.

Applications can be made at www.suffolk.gov.uk/admissions, where further advice and guidance is also available.