Almost all Swindon pupils given first choice secondary school place

‘I understand there will be some disappointment for those parents who did not secure a place at one of their chosen schools, but every child whose parents applied for a place at a Hampshire secondary school, has been offered one.

Gordon Jones, cabinet member for children’s services, education and skills at Suffolk County Council, said: “It is extremely positive to see that we have been able to offer a preferred school place to over 97% of the applicants”.

Nick Timothy, director of New Schools Network, said faith schools were “delivering exceptional education for many pupils” but there needed to be choice for parents wanting a “non-religious alternative”.

But like a year ago, 7.5% did not receive an offer from any of their preferences and will be given a place at an alternative school.

One in six secondary schools is already at or over capacity with the number of secondary school pupils due to rise by 300,000 over the next four years – equivalent to an extra 91 pupils per school.

The deadline for applying for secondary school places was October 31 past year and letters were sent out to parents today informing them of the school placement offers.

“We’ve never hidden the challenges that come with providing secondary school places in Bradford”.

Cornwall has traditionally managed to get most pupils into their first choice schools – but if you have received an email giving you bad news there are still things you can do.

Bristol Free School will take in 190 children, compared to 150 last year, while Oasis Academy Brightstowe will accept 189 pupils into Year Seven, an increase of 29 places.

Children who were not allocated a place at any of their three preferences have either been referred back to their catchment school or been allocated the nearest school with places available.

“We know that waiting for confirmation of secondary school places is an anxious time for both parents and carers and children and I am delighted that more than 99% of children in Cornwall will be going to their preferred secondary school in September” he said. “Getting into your school of choice and having outstanding local schools are key to this”.

“Local authorities have worked hard to put in place plans to meet this increased demand so that more pupils are offered a school place of their choice in London”. Only 0.8% did not get their first, second or third preference.

The number of children accepted by their first choice this year is slightly down on last year’s 94.82 per cent.

According to figures obtained by specialist law firm Simpson Millar under a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, BCC received 8030 applications for a secondary school place but had only 6047 school places available.

Parents and carers across Hertfordshire have been finding out which secondary school their children have been allocated to this afternoon, Tuesday.

All new applications for continuing interest must be made to Hertfordshire County Council for families living in the county.

A small number were not allocated a preferred school at this stage, but the Council’s Admissions and Transport team will continue to work closely with those families affected.