Birmingham school applications go on the box

The parents of Birmingham's children transferring to secondary school in September 2011 can now make their applications on interactive digital television, mobile phone and even by using the Nintendo Wii. The facility, which went live in early October 2010, enables parents to submit applications using Birmingham City Council's site on the local government portal, Looking Local, via these devices. Nikki Spencer, digital empowerment manager at Digital Birmingham, the city council's and a strategic partnership of private, voluntary and public organisations, said: "Working with Birmingham's admissions and appeals team and the Department for Education's Connect Digitally programme, it's hoped that increasing the number of digital channels available to parents will not only simplify the process for them, but also help the region to hit our national e-target of 95% online applications by 2012." When the project has been evaluated, it is expected to be extended to primary schools. A spokesperson for Looking Local, which provides interactive services on behalf of 125 local authorities, NHS trusts and housing associations, said: "At the moment it is just with Birmingham City Council, but once it has been evaluated we would like to extend it to other local authorities."