THE deadline to apply for a place at secondary school in Thurrock is fast approaching.

Parents whose children are due to start at secondary school next year are being advised that the deadline for applying for a secondary school place is Friday, October 31.

Applications received after the closing date are treated as late applications which means there will be far less chance of being offered a place at the school parents choose.

The school admissions section of the council’s website includes the secondary school admissions brochure and other information for applying for school places.

These include the opportunity to apply online – which means parents will get an email acknowledgement of their application, be able to choose to have their offer of a place sent by email, and be able to check which school place has been offered from 2 March 2015.