PARENTS of children in Year 6 can now apply for a place at a secondary school for September 2017.

Councillor Peter Edgar, Hampshire County Council's executive member for education, said: "Moving from primary to secondary education is the next exciting step in a child’s education. In applying for a place, parents have the opportunity to express a preference for the secondary school they would like their son or daughter to move on to.

“It is important for Hampshire residents to note that even when applying for a school which is outside of the Hampshire local authority area, they should apply using Hampshire County Council’s application form as their application still needs to be processed by the county council’s admissions team.”

Hampshire residents need to apply for a school place online at hants.gov.uk/admissions, where there is also useful information about the application process and details of Hampshire schools.

The deadline for receipt of applications for a secondary school place is midnight on Monday, October 31 2016. Changes to applications can be made right up to the closing date. Parents will receive the outcome of their application by email.