Children starting school for the first time in September will find out where they are going next week.

On Monday 29 March parents of pupils starting primary or infant school in September 2010 will receive an allocation letter from Gloucestershire County Council. All parents throughout the county will be offered one school place on the same day. Gloucestershire parents will have until 20th April to return their reply form and all are urged to return their forms as soon as possible.

Every letter will be specific for each pupil and will contain an explanation for the decision made. Further clarification about general issues can be found on the county council's website www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/schooladmissions Charlotte Jones, Interim Senior Access Manager, said; "This is always a particularly stressful time for parents but our Access to Education Team have worked very hard to try to ensure that as many pupils as possible get one of their preferences. This year, at this stage, 96% have received one of their preferred places, and 89% have been offered their first preference. This has been a huge exercise with 6064 children having been allocated a primary school place "

"I would encourage parents to complete and return their reply forms as soon as possible, but definitely by 20th April. We anticipate that most parents will be happy with the place offered to them. For those who aren't happy, I would urge them to keep their allocated place as this will ensure that, whatever the outcome, their child will have a place at a school."

If parents ask for their child's allocation to be reconsidered, the parent can request for their child to be placed on the waiting list for the school(s). If places then become available, they will be allocated in strict accordance with the published admissions criteria for the school. The admission criteria and more information about waiting lists for every school in Gloucestershire is available on the county council’s website www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/schooladmissions or within booklets that are available at all schools, children’s centres and libraries. Individual copies of the booklets can be obtained by ringing the Access to Education Team on 01452 425407.

The Access to Education Team will write to parents with the result of the reconsideration after 4th May 2010. Parents who are still not satisfied with their allocated school will be advised of the appeals procedure.

Cllr Jackie Hall, cabinet member for schools, Gloucestershire County Council, said: “I am pleased that most children have obtained a place in the school chosen by their parents or carers.

“Whilst it has not been possible to offer all children a place at their first choice school at this time, there is still a process for reconsideration or appeal, which can change the final allocation for September. We will work closely with the families involved to ensure that they are supported through this process.”