THURROCK Council is to host a series of online webinars to offer help to parents and carers who need to apply for a 2022 secondary school place for their child.

Cabinet member for children's services and education, Cllr Barry Johnson, has issued a message to parents and carers which says: "It is important that parents apply on time, so that their child can have the best possible chance to get into one of their top choice schools. Our webinar sessions are designed to support parents and carers to complete the application process and answer any queries they might have about it.

"This year 92 per cent of pupils joined one of their top three choice of schools and we want to make sure that as many pupils as possible get one of their top choices next year as well.

"We look forward to seeing residents attending these sessions and helping make sure they get all the assistance they need as they make their applications."

The council will be running three online webinar sessions on Wednesday, 29 September at 1pm, 4pm and 6.30pm. More information on how to book a place for a webinar and advice on the school admissions process is available via this link.

Applications for secondary schools close on 31 October, 2021.