This is when Portsmouth parents need to apply for primary and secondary school places byÂ

HAVING a child who is starting school can be a stressful time for any parent.
Layton Fletcher on his 5th birthday with school friend Miley Horrell, four, on their first day at Springwood Infant School. Photo: Malcolm WellsLayton Fletcher on his 5th birthday with school friend Miley Horrell, four, on their first day at Springwood Infant School. Photo: Malcolm Wells
Layton Fletcher on his 5th birthday with school friend Miley Horrell, four, on their first day at Springwood Infant School. Photo: Malcolm Wells

Whether it's buying uniforms or adjusting to the school run, it's never a simple process.

And getting children your little one into their first school '“ or having them move up from primary to secondary '“ can be equally as tricky.

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That's why we're giving a guide to parents in Portsmouth with everything they need to know about applying for school place.

Layton Fletcher on his 5th birthday with school friend Miley Horrell, four, on their first day at Springwood Infant School. Photo: Malcolm WellsLayton Fletcher on his 5th birthday with school friend Miley Horrell, four, on their first day at Springwood Infant School. Photo: Malcolm Wells
Layton Fletcher on his 5th birthday with school friend Miley Horrell, four, on their first day at Springwood Infant School. Photo: Malcolm Wells

Stressing the need for parents to apply  before the deadline, Cllr Suzy Horton, Cabinet Member for Education at Portsmouth City Council, commented: '˜I appreciate what a crucial decision this is, so I urge parents to apply online before the deadline otherwise there will be a real impact on the chances of children getting a place at their preferred school.

'˜The online application process is quick and easy to use.'

Application for youngsters starting school in September 2019 aren't open yet '“ they will open on Monday, November 5 and can be filled online at Portsmouth City Council's website.

By law, children must begin school at the start of the term following their fifth birthday.

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In Portsmouth, most children will start school when they are four years old. To start school in September 2019, children must be born on or between September 1, 2014, and August 31, 2015.

Parents will only have two months to complete their online application before the closing date of Tuesday, January 15.

Applications cannot be made online after Tuesday January 15, please use a paper form for late applications.

Paper applications received after closing date will be processed after on-time applications have been considered and allocated places.

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The paper forms will be available after Wednesday November 14 to download from the documents section below, from the Civic Offices or Portsmouth infant and primary schools

Applications for secondary school places are already open for children in Year 6.

Parents should have been sent letters to inform them about this.

Again, applications can be filled out online at the city council's website. This will only be available until Wednesday, October 31. 

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Applications cannot be made online after Wednesday October 31 and parents should use a paper form for late applications.

Applications for parents living withing Hampshire County Council's jurisdiction open on November 1 for children starting in reception or Year 3 and October 31 for youngsters beginning Year 7.

For details on this, see Hampshire County Council's website.

For parents with children due to start school in West Sussex in 2019, applications for primary and infant school places has opened today.

This can be filled out at at the county council's website. Additional support is also available by emailing [email protected] or calling 033 301 42903.