We are at that time of year again! I think all my blogs start like this as we always seem to have an event happening or a time of year approaching, however, here we are, at that time of year of the dreaded HIGH SCHOOL APPLICATIONS!.

In Bolton we have a large  number of secondary schools all who have something individual to offer your child. They each seem to have an area of specialism, whether it be language, IT or Media and Arts and encourage you to put them down as the first choice when submitting an application for their particular school.

First and foremost the deadline for applications is Friday October 22nd. So get doing the rounds of the schools and reading the glossy brochures and making some really scary choices.

I have done this once before and have it looming next year found it a really horrid task as in my opinion draws attention to the fact that your 'pride and joy' is growing up faster than you would like and also you are part of the 'scrabble' for what are perceived as the best schools in town.

My advice would be never judge a book by its cover and stay open minded about the whole process. You may have an idea of where you want your child to go and where the best schools are (exam results speaking) but you may want to look a little deeper and ask some more probing questions of you, your child and the school that is in question and perhaps the school that is sometimes out of the question? My daughter goes to a wonderful school Bolton St Catherine s Academy where she has just entered Year 9 and has thrived since day one. The staff at The Academy have nurtured her academic learning but also and sometimes overlooked, her social and emotional development and as a result she is becoming a confident, well rounded and academically able young women. Not to mention the support and feedback they have given me, a neurotic mother stressing about her baby going to 'big school'.

thebestofbolton events section has details of some of the schools in Bolton who are holding open days at their school. This is by no means an exhaustive list and I would encourage you to add your own school event so as to get the message out there.

Secondary School Open Evenings

For more information visit Bolton Councils website or contact them on the details below

Bolton Council

Town Hall

Victoria Square

Bolton

BL1 1RU

01204 333333