Parents are being reminded that applications for secondary school admissions close at the end of the month.

Applications for the 2024 Year 7 intake close on 31 October. Applications should be made online where possible. The online application process is quick, simple, safe, secure and ensures the fastest response time.

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.

Secondary schools are hosting open evenings during the autumn term to give parents and prospective students information about individual schools. Applications should be made online by midnight on 31 October 2023. Paper submissions must be with the school admission’s team by 5pm on 31 October.

Decision emails will be sent to parents after 2pm on 1 March 2024, decision letters for people who made a paper applications will be sent out by 2nd class post on 1 March 2024. Any appeals will be heard in May/June 2024. 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 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 2024.”

Full details of how to apply and a link to the portal can be found on the Dudley Council website.

For those parents who have no internet access, 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.