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 (2010/11) or due to start in 2011/12 are available to download on the School admissions policies page.

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

Information regarding the consultation on admission arrangements in the Harrogate area from September 2011 onwards can be found on our School admissions policies page.

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 2011/12

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, headteachers 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 headteacher, 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.