Parents whose children will be going to primary or junior school for the first time in September 2012 are being told they now need to apply for school places for them.
The council is also urging parents to make sure they put down a second and third preference of school when they apply, in case their first preference school is oversubscribed.
The closing date for primary and junior school applications is 15 January 2012.
The applications must be with the council's admissions team by these dates. All applications received up to the deadline dates will be considered together using the same criteria – they are not dealt with on a 'first come, first served' basis. Applications received after the deadline may significantly increase the risk of the council being unable to offer places for any of the preferred schools.
Cllr David Renard, Swindon Borough Council Cabinet member for Children's Services said: "We have an excellent record in giving parents their first choice of school, with 90 per cent of applicants allocated their first preference for primary and junior schools, and 97 per cent for secondary.
"However, it's vital that parents give us a second and third choice of school, because it gives them the best possible chance of getting their children into a school that is the most acceptable to them if their first choice can't accommodate all the applicants."
Applying online has the added benefit of providing applicants with a reply e-mail proving that the application has been received. Alternatively, parents can apply for a school place using a hard copy application form. These are available from schools, Swindon Direct or the council's Schools Admissions Team.
Letters will be sent to parents and carers detailing the offer of a school place for their children on 20 April 2012 for primary and junior places, and on the 1 March 2012 for secondary places.
This year, Swindon Borough Council was the second most successful council in the South-west, and the thirteenth nationally, at meeting the first preferences for secondary school applicants, while 95 per cent of primary school applicants had one of their three preferences met.
Further Information
Please see: School Places