PARENTS ARE REMINDED THAT THE DEADLINE TO SUBMIT THEIR APPLICATIONS FOR CHILDREN STARTING PRIMARY SCHOOL IN SEPTEMBER IS MIDNIGHT ON JANUARY 15TH, 2011.
You can apply online at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/schooladmissions 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Parents are encouraged to list four preferred schools on their form as school places cannot be guaranteed – failing to include second, third and fourth choices could lead to children being allocated school places parents wouldn’t have chosen.
Parents have had a guide to applying for a primary school place, which gives details of every state primary school in Gloucestershire, along with a paper application form.
The secure online system was introduced in 2006 and each year its use has increased. Last year, 82% of parents applied for their child’s primary place online. Each pupil has a unique reference number and by entering that number, the pupil’s personal details will automatically come up on the screen.You can also make changes to the form right up until the closing date. The system will check for errors and you will receive an email confirmation that the application has been received. There is no risk that applications can get lost in the post.
Cllr Jackie Hall, Gloucestershire County Council Cabinet Member for Schools, said: “Applying online is the quickest and easiest way for parents to give us their primary school preferences. It is extremely important that parents get their forms to us by the deadline to have the best chance of getting one of those preferences.”
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS about primary school admissions, contact Gloucestershire County Council’s Admission and Transfer Team on 01452 425407 or go to www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/schooladmissions
LAST CHANCES TO TELL US YOUR VIEWS ON LIBRARIES
There is still time to have your say on proposed changes to the library service in Gloucestershire, at drop-in sessions around the county.
The remaining drop-in sessions take place at:
Coleford Library: 12th January, 2pm-5pm
Cirencester Library: 13th January, 10am-1pm.
Tewkesbury Library: 14th January, 10am-1pm
Churchdown Library: 19th January, 6.30pm-8.30pm
Minchinhampton Library: 20th January, 2pm-5pm
Cinderford Library: 21st January, 10am-1pm
Stroud Library: 24th January, 4pm-7pm (replaces session cancelled due to bad weather before Christmas)
Wotton Library: 25th January, 2pm-5pm
Further sessions are still being organised and dates will be announced soon.
The sessions are a chance to speak to members of the library senior management team and ask any questions you might have. So far the council has received 1,500 consultation feedback surveys, as well as other feedback.
The council is particularly keen to hear from more young people.
You can also take part in the online consultation at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/mtclibraries More details about the strategy, including a map showing the proposed changes, are also available on this web page.
YOUR CHANCE TO HAVE YOUR SAY ON PUBLIC TRANSPORT
What do you think of bus services in Gloucestershire? Gloucestershire County Council is asking people what their transport priorities are as part of Meeting the Challenge.
In September, the council announced it was looking to save £2million from its transport budget through a fundamental review of bus routes.
One of the main drivers of the review is the high subsidies the council currently has to pay for some bus journeys.
In future, council-run services will focus on getting people to employment, education and to vital facilities like doctors’ surgeries and hospitals. To ensure that any changes made, take into account people’s transport needs, from Tuesday 11th January until Monday 31st January, we’re asking people to tell us what they think is most important.
Questionnaires are available online at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/busreview and can also be sent out via post from Tuesday.
Cllr Stan Waddington, cabinet member for environment, states that He would encourage anyone who uses buses and community transport in Gloucestershire to take part in our consultation and give us your views.”
FIND OUT MORE To request a questionnaire, or for any queries about the review, call the bus review helpline on 01452 426263.
BEAT THE FUEL HIKE – TRY CAR SHARING
Gloucestershire County Council runs a care share website www.carsharegloucestershire.com which is used by thousands of people across the county.
Carshare Gloucestershire is a free service which allows people to find others going their way, so that they can share the trip and save money at the same time. Either taking turns with the driving, or giving someone a lift in exchange for a contribution to the fuel costs.
Sarah Avery, Gloucestershire County Council’s Transport Planner, said: “Petrol prices are over 14% up on this time last year. “However, the typical commuter who car-shares every day saves around £800 a year, while those who manage to fill all their spare seats can save in excess of £2,000.
Cllr Stan Waddington, cabinet member for environment and transport, added: “Car-sharing can make a huge difference to your wallet, but there are still many drivers who are unaware of how easy it is to find people to share with”. “Carshare Gloucestershire is completely free to use, and it only takes five minutes to sign up and search for suitable matches – you could be sharing by tomorrow.”
To register for free, go to www.carsharegloucestershire.com or find out about public transport in Gloucestershire at www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/travel
