Most schools have an ED application deadline of November 1.

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These early figures from the application process for autumn 2013 - ahead of the main deadline in January - show a further downward fall.

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The NUT says some teachers did not receive their application forms until the end of May - days before the deadline.

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"The opportunity to lease the ground was public and to further facilitate a robust application process we even extended the deadline by 28 days upon the request of the administrator of Bromsgrove Rovers Football Club, " he said.

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It proved possible to meet such a tight deadline only because Prosoz, a German software firm, had already developed the core of the application.

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He said it was unsatisfactory that many farmers and crofters have been left uncertain of how to properly fill out their 2010 application forms for SFP and LFASS in time for the 17 May 2010 deadline because of a lack of clarity.

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