SUFFOLK County Council are reminding parents and carers of the need to get their applications in quickly as the closing date for school admissions approaches.

If your child was born between September 1, 2008 and August 31, 2009 they will have to apply for a reception place for the school year starting September 2013 by next Tuesday, January 15.

This date is also the closing date for entry to junior and middle schools in September 2013.

Graham Newman, Suffolk County Council's cabinet member for education and young people, said: 'Choosing the right school for your child is one of the most important decisions you make on your child's behalf.

'I would strongly advise all parents and carers to make an application by the deadline to give them the best chance of securing a place at their preferred school. Even if you are living next door to your preferred school, or your child is already attending a nursery class at an infant or primary school, a pre-school or children's centre next to the school site you must apply for a full time place at a school.'

It is not possible to guarantee a place in a catchment area school (where there is a catchment area in operation) and so the county council is urging parents and carers to indicate their second and third preferences on their application form. To do so in no way weakens their first preference, as the council always tries to meet parents' and carers' first preference.

When a local authority run school is oversubscribed the county council gives a higher priority to siblings. This means that if parents have a child already at or about to start at the school they are applying for, it is very important that they include their details on the application form. Failure to provide this information may affect the offer of a school place.

? Visit www.suffolk.gov.uk/admissionstoschools for more details about these policies.