As the parent or carer of a child aged between five and 16, you have a legal duty to make sure they receive full-time education that is suitable for their age and ability and we must make arrangements to help you decide which school you would prefer your child to go to.

Admission guides and policies for children either at school now (2008/9) or due to start in 2009/10 are available to download at the foot of this page.

If you would like to apply online for a place in secondary school please use the online application form below.

Applying for a selective grammar school

North Yorkshire has three selective grammar schools in Ripon and Skipton. If your child lives in and attends a North Yorkshire maintained primary school in the selective area they are entered automatically for the selection test and no application is required. Please follow this link to view information regarding selective schools.

Children due to start in 2010/11

In order to help you decide which school you would prefer your child to go to, we publish a Guide for Parents "Admissions to Secondary School" which you can download below.

To apply for a school place, you need to complete a common application form and we advise you to read fully the guidance that's available on this website before completing these forms.

Once you have completed your common application form you need to return it to us. We co-ordinate admissions to all schools except independent schools.

It is important to note that under the School Admissions Code, head teachers or other school officials are not permitted to give parents an expectation that their application will be successful. They also cannot tell parents that their child has been given a place at the school before a formal offer of a place has been made by the local authority.

Key dates

There are a number of important dates that you need to be aware of if you are applying for a school place:

*Review and appeal dates may vary in exceptional circumstances.

Where to find further information

You many have several alternative schools to choose from for your child. The best way to find out which is the right one is to get information about the schools, visit them and meet the head teacher, staff and children. Each school also produces a prospectus or brochure which includes information about the school and curriculum, attendance and admission arrangements. Many schools also have a website and may arrange open evenings.

You can find contact details for North Yorkshire's schools below.

You can also find reports about schools in your area on the website of the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted).

Help and advice

If you need help and advice in selecting the school for your child that best suits their needs, you can use the 'Choice Advice' service. You can contact the Choice Advisor on 0845 0349469, Monday to Friday, between 1pm and 4pm.

School admissions Apply online for a school place

Admissions to secondary school 2008/9 Admission to Secondary School in 2008-2009 [1Mb] Guide for Parents including Selection Scheme Information for parents. Admissions Policy for 2008 to 2009 [19kb] Admissions Policy for Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools for the academic year 2008/9 Admissions to secondary school 2009/10 Admission to Secondary School in 2009-2010 [4Mb] Guide for Parents including Selection Scheme Information for parents Admission Policy for Secondary Schools. 2009/10 [20kb] Admission Policy for Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools for the Academic Year 2009/10 Admission arrangements 2010 - 2011 Admission Policy for Community, Voluntary Controlled & Nursery 2010 - 2011 [31kb] Admission Policy for Community, Voluntary Controlled & Nursery 2010 - 2011 2010 - 2011 Coordinated Admissions Scheme [105kb] 2010 - 2011 Coordinated primary and secondary admissions scheme Primary Maximum Admission Limits for 2010 - 2011 [24kb] Primary Maximum Admission Limits for 2010 - 2011 Secondary Maximum Admission Limits for 2010 - 2011 [13kb] Secondary Maximum Admission Limits for 2010 - 2011 Voluntary aided, foundation and trust secondary school admission policies 2010/11 Ermysted's Grammar School [31kb] Admissions policy 2010/11 George Pindar Community Sports College [20kb] Admissions policy 2010-11 Holy Family Catholic High School, Carlton [33kb] Admissions policy 2010-11 Skipton Girls High School [79kb] Admissions policy 2010/11 South Craven School, The Technology & Engineering College [21kb] Admissions Policy 2010/11 St Aidan's Church of England High School [251kb] Admissions policy 2010-11 St Augustine's Catholic School, Scarborough [30kb] Admissions policy 2010-11 St Francis Xavier School [26kb] Admissions policy 2010-11 St John Fisher Catholic High School, Harrogate [51kb] Admissions policy 2010/11 Preferences and admissions policies Detailed information regarding the preferences and admission policy (including equal preference) is held within the Guide for Parents summary guide. Below are a list of admission arrangements documents separated by district. Admissions policy for community and voluntary controlled schools for the academic year 2010/11 [232kb] Admissions policy for community and voluntary controlled schools for the academic year 2010/11 Guide for parents - Craven area [151kb] Admission arrangements for the Craven area Guide for parents - Harrogate area [254kb] Admission arrangements for the Harrogate area Guide for parents - Northallerton area [177kb] Admission arrangements for the Northallerton area Guide for parents - Scarborough and Ryedale area [255kb] Admission arrangements for the Scarborough and Ryedale area Guide for parents - Selby area [140kb] Admission arrangements for the Selby area Useful downloads Report of Local Government Ombudsman [122kb] Investigation into complaint no 08006687 against North Yorkshire County Council and no 08008137 against Ermysted's Grammar School List of Establishments - October 2008 [516kb] Contact details for all North Yorkshire schools and other Children & Young People's Service establishments. Guide for parents - admission to secondary schools [4Mb] Guide for parents - admission to secondary schools Guide for parents - the summary guide [3Mb] Guide for parents - the summary guide Guide for parents - admission to selective schools [2Mb] Guide for parents - admission to selective schools   Weblinks Please note: All external websites open in a new browser window. North Yorkshire County Council is not responsible for the content of external websites. Ofsted Reports on Schools Inspection reports and links to statistics about individual schools. Department for Children, Schools and Families Department for Children, Schools and Families website Performance Tables Department for Education and Skills School Performance Tables where results for each of the County Council's schools can be found. Secondary school admissions - frequently asked questions How do I secure a school place for my child? What if I want a selective grammar school? What is the closing date for returning my completed common application form? What are the chances I will get my first choice school? Who makes the decision about admissions? If one of my children got a place at a certain school last year, does this guarantee a place for my next child this year? Can I appeal if I am refused a place in my first choice school? Should I list my local or nearest school? Selective schools Selective schools information Contacts The Education Office - Harrogate (General office) aandi.harrogate@northyorks.gov... Tel: 0845 0349467 Full details for The Education Office - Harrogate (General office) The Education Office - Harrogate (Admissions team) aandi.harrogate@northyorks.gov... Tel: +44 0845 0349420 Full details for The Education Office - Harrogate (Admissions team) The Education Office - Harrogate (Transport team) aandi.harrogate@northyorks.gov... Tel: +44 0845 0349422 Full details for The Education Office - Harrogate (Transport team) The Education Office - Harrogate (Welfare team) aandi.harrogate@northyorks.gov... Tel: +44 0845 0349421 Full details for The Education Office - Harrogate (Welfare team)