Many facing disappointment on school allocation ‘offer day’

In some areas of England, as many as two in five are set to be denied their preferred place as parents discover today which school their child has been allocated by their local education authority.

The one in seven figure comes from a survey of almost 25 councils across the country.

Today has become known as national offer day as councils announce which secondary schools children have been allocated to for the academic year starting in September. Figures announced so far show big differences in the level of parents getting children into their first choice school at different authorities in Yorkshire.

More than one in five parents have not got into their first choice school in Bradford while more than one in seven has missed out in Kirklees.

Figures from Kirklees Council show the number of parents who have got into the first preference school has gone up from last year’s 82 per cent to 84 per cent.

Elsewhere in the region four councils announced that fewer than one in 10 parents have missed out on their first choice secondary school for their child.

In Sheffield 93 per cent of parents were successful in securing their first choice, in York the figure was 94.9 per cent while in Rotherham it was 95 per cent.

In the East Riding 97.9 per cent of applications were allocated their first choice of school and 99.7 per cent have been given one of their chosen schools.

This means only eight children are being sent to a school which their parents did not choose.

Last year nearly one in six children failed to gain a place at their first choice secondary school, nationally according to Government figures.

Councils which responded to a national survey published yesterday included Manchester and Essex – one of the largest education authorities in the country.

In both areas 83 per cent of children have been given their first preference of school.

The lowest rate of parents being given their first choice was in Westminster at just 60.2 per cent while in Southend the figure was 61 per cent.

Councillors in two of Yorkshire’s authorities welcomed their results. Coun Colin Ross, Sheffield Council’s Cabinet member for children’s services, said: “This is obviously an anxious time for many parents and we understand their concerns. Getting your child into a school which meets your expectations is of course a key priority of any parent.

“We share this expectation which is why I am glad we are able to reassure so many parents today. With nearly 94 per cent of pupils getting into their preferred choice and 98 per cent being allocated a school of choice, we have shown our commitment to achieving parent satisfaction.”

Rotherham Council’s Cabinet member responsible for schools, Coun Paul Lakin, said: “This is again a great achievement for our schools and our admissions team which co-ordinates the process for all secondary schools in the borough including the local academies.

“It is clear from these figures that our local schools remain popular with people in Rotherham.”