Fears over strike's affect on school choices

The warning comes from Peter Griffiths, County Council Cabinet Member for Education and Schools.

The two critical deadlines are midday next Friday, October 23, for returning forms for secondary transfer, and midday on Friday November 6 for children starting at first, infant or primary schools.

"If the postal strike goes ahead, there is a very real danger that places which would be granted could simply be lost," said Peter.

"I am concerned that applications with the preferred school choices could get held up in the backlog of mail that inevitably builds up in the event of any industrial action."

His advice to parents '“ complete and submit the form as soon as possible, otherwise you may not be sure your application has arrived on time.

Parents who have not sent off their forms yet are being urged to

either fill in the form online, give it to their child to return to school, or take it to the school themselves.

You can find the online form by visiting www.westsussex.gov.uk then clicking Education, Admission to Schools, and following the links.

"We hope that the strike can be resolved between now and next Thursday, but if you are a parent, please don't leave it to chance," said Peter. "Do everything you can to get that form filled in and sent back as quickly as possible."