PLANS to give parents a clearer idea of school admissions policies for York's primary schools have been given the go-ahead.

The move comes after city schools agreed a common admissions policy for the first time.

City of York Council has drawn up a blueprint to organise the way parents apply for school places, with a new form designed to simplify the way parents choose the school they want their child to attend.

It will run in conjunction with the current system of school catchment areas.

Principal education officer Mark Ellis said the council's policy remained the same as it always had been - namely to place youngsters with the parent's first preference wherever possible.

The form will be used for the purpose of admitting pupils in to the reception class at primary schools, and can be used for parents to express up to three preferences ranked in order.

These can include voluntary-aided schools and schools outside the City of York area.

The plans were given the green light at a meeting of the executive member for education, Coun Carol Runciman, and her advisory panel. Parents will receive no more than one offer of a school place, and a place will be offered at the highest ranking nominated school for which the child is eligible. If a place cannot be offered at a nominated school for some reason, then a place will be offered at an alternative school.

Every parent in the York area who has a child who is due to start in reception will receive a copy of the form with a written explanation.

The closing date for applications is February 17, 2006, and completed forms must be returned to the school that is the parent's first choice. Any parents whose first choice is a school outside the City of York area must return their form to City of York Council's education access team.

Parents will then be sent notification of their child's new school by April 7, 2006.

Updated: 09:29 Thursday, June 16, 2005