Parents in Dudley are being reminded that applications for secondary school admissions are now open.

Applications for Year 7 intake opened on 1 September and should be made online where possible. The online application process is quick, simple, safe, secure and ensures the fastest response time.

Applications should be made online by midnight on 31 October. Paper submissions must be with the school admissions team by 5pm on 31 October.

Parents can express up to six school preferences on the application form including schools outside the Dudley Local Authority. Parents are encouraged to use all the six preferences and must complete an application form in order to ensure a place.

Some secondary schools are hosting open evenings during the autumn term to give parents and prospective students information about individual schools, please contact the school direct for further information.

Decision emails will be sent to parents after 2pm on 1 March 2021, decision letters for people who made a paper applications will be sent out by 2nd class post on 1 March. Any appeals will be heard in May/June 2021. Councillor Ruth Buttery, cabinet member for children and young people said:

“The online application process is really quick and simple and allows parents to select up to six schools for their child. We advise parents to take advantage of this and use all six preferences.

“We recommend that parents submit their application online rather than on paper as this way it’s safe, secure and they can be certain it has been received as we confirm every application via email.

”It also means they’ll hear the outcome more quickly as we issue all email decisions on the afternoon of 1 March 2021.”

Full details of how to apply and a link to the portal can be found at dudley.gov.uk.

For parents who have no internet access, there are facilities available at all libraries or a paper form can be requested by calling Dudley Council Plus on 0300 555 2345.

Parents returning a paper form are advised to return the form by recorded delivery to ensure it is definitely received.

Applications for primary school reception intake will open on 1 October and all details will be on the council website.