9 out of 10 parents will learn today that they have been allocated their first-choice secondary school in Staffordshire.
Stats released by Staffordshire County Council show; of the 8,324 offers made for a Staffordshire secondary school at age 11, 92.5% were for a first-choice school. National and regional average is around 83%.
Nearly 98% 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 (Wednesday), informing them of where their child will be attending school in September.
County Councillor Jonathan Price, Cabinet Member for Education said: “In Staffordshire we have an excellent track record of achieving well above the national average for first preferences, and for top three preferences as a whole. I’m pleased to see we have once again been able to offer a first choice secondary school place to the majority of parents.
“This achievement is also testament to the tireless efforts of our admissions team, who try to make the application process for parents as easy as possible, and work diligently to ensure every Staffordshire child that needs a secondary school place in September has one.
“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 council’s website.
