More youngsters can attend first choice primary school

Some 88 per cent of children will attend their first preference primary school in Leeds, compared with 83 per cent in 2009, figures released yesterday reveal.

Education chiefs in the city said last night that nearly 97 per cent will attend one of their three preferences.

A total of 84 per cent of young people will attend their first preference secondary school in September – compared with 82 per cent in 2009 – while overall over 96 per cent will attend one of their three preferences.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Coun Richard Harker, who is responsible for learning, said: "For parents and carers, choosing a school for their children is one of the most important decisions they have to take and I am pleased that so many children and young people are attending their first preference school."

Coun Harker added that Education Leeds had worked hard to accommodate the preferences of parents across the city.

The number of children not getting either of their top three preferences at primary school has also decreased – 282, or 3.4 per cent in 2010 compared to 727, or 8.7 per cent in 2009.

Figures from education chiefs in the city also show numbers have also reduced for secondary schools – 270, 3.4 per cent in 2010 compared to 395, 5 per cent in 2009. Over 16,000 children and young people will start a new school in Leeds in September this year, making the admissions process one of the biggest tasks in the education calendar.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Chief executive of Education Leeds Chris Edwards said last night that Education Leeds would work with those parents who had not secured their preferences to try to find a solution.

He said: "Ensuring our young people are in a school which is best for them is vital to ensure they get the most out of their education.

"The fact that over 84 per cent of secondary school applications and 88 per cent of primary school applications have been award their first preference is brilliant news.

"In the few instances where this is not possible, we will continue to work closely with parents and carers to find the best solution.

"We will now work to ensure that our figures continue to improve next year and even more young people attend one of their preferred schools," added Mr Edwards.

Related topics: