PARENTS whose children will be starting secondary or upper school next year have less than two weeks left to apply for a place for them.

Those who haven't already applied need to do so by October 31.

In the Dorset Council area around 58 per cent of parents have completed the application process, with many families still to finish and send in their forms.

The admissions pages on the website gives all the information needed to apply.

Cllr Andrew Parry, Dorset Council Portfolio Holder for Children, Education and Early Help is urging parents to apply now.

He said: "If your child is in their final year at primary, middle or junior school, you need to make your application for a secondary school place for them now if you haven’t already done so.

"Making the transfer to secondary or upper school may seem a long way off, but the closing date for applications is fast approaching, so time is of the essence.

"Applications received after October 31 cannot be considered until the late round in April, so please don’t risk disappointment by leaving it too late."

Parents whose child is due to move to junior or middle school in September 2021, or start school for the first time, have to apply by January 15.