THE deadline for applying for a secondary school place for September 2015 is fast approaching.

Parents and carers of children making the step up to ‘big school’ next September only have until midnight on Friday, October 31 to apply.

You can apply online at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/schooladmissions or download a form to complete.

Last year 87 per cent of parents choose to apply online, as it is easier and faster. Parents need to use the Unique ID from their child's primary/junior school to register.

More than 6680 letters have been sent to parents and carers explaining how to apply and important dates for transferring to secondary school. Open evenings have also been running at all secondary schools.

When considering which schools to apply to, parents are advised to: talk to parents who already have children at their local secondary schools look at the school websites read the latest OFSTED report for the schools find out about the entry requirements and oversubscription criteria consider how far away the schools are and how their child will get there as most children do not qualify for help with school transport - see the home to school transport policy at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/applyforabuspass how the schools will support their child if they have special educational needs whether their local schools have particular specialisms, for example languages, sport or technology.

Councillor Paul McLain, cabinet member for children and commissioning, said: “It is really important to get your application in before the closing date. If it is late, or you do not apply, you will be offered a place at the nearest school to you that has space available.

“That may not be your nearest school, or a school you would have chosen. It is really easy and quick to apply online if you have not already done so.”

You can find a mythbusting guide to the secondary school admissions process at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/transfersecondaryschool as well as information about individual schools in the School Admission Guidance and Secondary School Information booklets online.

It is important for parents to read this information before applying for a school place.

Key dates:

Friday, October 31 2014: Closing date to return application form for secondary school place.

Monday, March 2 2015: National Allocation Day – parents receive letter informing them of secondary school place they have been allocated for their child.

Friday, March 13 2015: Closing date to return reply form accepting the school place or requesting that your application is reconsidered if places become available at the school you want

After Wednesday, April 1 2015: Receive the outcome of any reconsideration of a school place May to July: Appeals for schools admissions are normally held during this period.