We know it seems a bit early to start thinking about next school year, but if your child is in year 6 this year you don't have long to decide which senior school you would like them to go to.

All preference forms for secondary school places must be in by 3pm on October 23, but first you and your child need to check out the schools in your area.

To find a list of the secondary schools in Brighton and Hove and their open evenings to check them out, click here.

There has been a lot said in the past few years about the Secondary Schools Admissions Review (SAR) that brought in catchment areas, but what it boils down to is your child still can apply for a place in any secondary school (except perhaps church schools) in Brighton and Hove, but priority will be given to children in its catchment area. More information concerning Catchment Areas can be found here.

We recommend that you read the Secondary Schools Admissions booklet before starting this whole process to make it easier for you.

Lastly there are two ways to register your preferences with the school admissions team.  You can either, fill out a preference form and hand it in to your child's present school, or you can apply on-line.  In past years people have found it difficult to register their preferences on-line in the last few days before the closing date due to high traffic so the admissions team recommends you filling out the form as soon as you have made your decision.

No matter which way you are applying for your child's secondary school place, you must have made the application before October 23 3pm or you may not get a place at the school you prefer.