Three Pembrokeshire primary schools are to take part in a trial scheme aimed at establishing a set date as a deadline for first admission applications.

Under the present admission arrangements, applications for first admissions to a Pembrokeshire-maintained primary school should be made by April 30 for entry in the September; by August 31 for entry the following January and by December 31 for entry after Easter.

This system, however, can produce inequality and can cause disadvantage to the spring and summer term intake pupils in popular schools. It also causes some difficulties for headteachers in organising classes to meet class size legislation.

A change in legislation is that parents must now express a positive preference, in writing, for a particular school, even if they live within the area the school is designated to serve (also known as te catchment area). It is not sufficient to notify the headteacher verbally that a child requires a place.

All applications expressing a preference, including those from outside the designated area, must be considered before those who have not expressed such a preference.

Headteachers have also indicated that they favour continuing to admit pupils in September, January or April depending of their date of birth.

In order that school places can be allocated fairly - and in accordance with the law and county council policy - Pembrokeshire County council will pilot an arrangement in three schools whereby parents will be required to apply for a school place by one set date, April 30, in the year prior to entry.

Schools will continue to admit in September, January and April as before.

This will enable all applications to receive equitable treatment regardless of which term they start school, and will assist headteachers in class organisation.

The three schools involved in the pilot arrangement from September, 2002, are Saundersfoot and Templeton CP schools and Ysgol Glan Cleddau, Haverfordwest.

Applications for admission to these schools will therefore be required to be made in writing to the schools by April 30, 2002, for admission during their school year September, 2002, to August, 2003.

• Application forms and information booklets for parents on schools in Pembrokeshire are available from schools or from the School Admissions Unit at County Hall.