Nine out of 10 parents allocated their first choice secondary school

Nine out of 10 parents will learn today (Friday) that they have been allocated their first-choice secondary school in Staffordshire.

Of the 8,482 offers made for a Staffordshire secondary school at age 11, 90.8% per cent were for a first-choice school. National and regional average is around 83 per cent.

Nearly 99 per cent have been allocated one of their top three preferred schools.

Parents were given until the end of October to apply for a secondary school. Since the closing date, the council’s admissions team has been working with school and neighbouring authorities to ensure as many parents as possible receive a place at one of their preferred schools.

Most parents will be receiving emails and letters from today (Friday), informing them of where their child will be attending school in September.

County Councillor Jonathan Price, Cabinet Member for Education (and SEND) said: “Our admissions team has been working hard since the end of October to allocate more than 8,000 secondary school places across Staffordshire. We have an excellent track record in this county of being able to allocate well above the national average for first preferences, and for top three preferences as a whole. Even though demand for secondary school places has increased, we still maintain our record of being able to offer the overwhelming majority of parents their first-choice school place.

“Giving clear guidance, plus working with schools in Staffordshire and in neighbouring authorities, means we can allocate school places efficiently and, in the vast majority of cases, allocate parents one of their top three preferred schools.”

Information on how places were allocated at oversubscribed schools, schools with vacancies and the appeals process can be found through the county council’s website.