Majority of West Country secondary school places are first choice preferences
Pupils have been finding off which high school they're off to today
Last updated 1st Mar 2024
Pupils across the West Country have been finding out today where they're off to - when they move up to secondary school for the next academic year.
Stats show the vast majority - more than 90% in most regions of the West Country - of kids in our part of the world are off to their First Choice preferences, with local councils saying their 'proud' of their record of making sure our region's young people get to go where they want to.
The 1st of March is always a worrying time for parents, carers and their children, though, as there's always a chance they might get placed somewhere they maybe didn't originally intend on going.
But, it's a positive day - with all of the kids who applied before the deadline given a spot, with those who applied receiving their offer either by email or post either today, or in the coming days.
North Somerset
In North Somerset, out of 2,561 applications, more than 97% of kids in the region were given one of their top three preferences.
2,345 (91.57%) were offered a first choice school, 5.19% (133) were offered their second preference, and 29 (1.13%) given their third preference school.
54 students out of 2,561 will be offered a place at a school outside of their first three preferences.
Bath & North East Somerset
Out of 1,878 applications, 1,818 (96.8%) received one of their overall preferences.
A first preference school place was offered to 1,692 pupils (90.1%) with 99 offered a place at their second preference school.
For third preferences, just 27 children received that offer.
60 pupils haven't been offered a place of any of their preferences, and instead given a position at their nearest school with a place available.
Somerset
In Somerset, the council received 4,772 secondary school applications - slightly down on last year's figure, which stood at 4,785.
Out of this year's numbers, 93.56% were offered their first place (4,465), whilst 193 (4.04%) the second preference, and 26 (0.54%) their third preference.
Bristol
Bristol City Council say 2024 is the fourth year in a row that the number of families offered their first choice of school has gone up.
Out of 5,061 applications, 3,910 (78.34%) were given their first choice, 591 (11.84%) their second, 199 (3.99%) third choice and 291 (5.83%) offered a referral or a 'non-preference school'.
That means 94.17% were given one of their three preference schools.
It's a 'significant task'
Councillor Catherine Gibbons, North Somerset Council’s Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Children’s Services, Families and Lifelong Learning, said: “I’m thrilled to see that almost all our young people in North Somerset were offered a place at one of their top three secondary schools.
“Processing thousands of applications and trying to match as many children as possible with their preferred schools is a significant task. I’d like to thank our council officers and our schools for all their hard work in making this possible.
“We wish all the young people starting secondary school this September the best of luck in this exciting new chapter.”
Councillor Paul May, cabinet member for Children’s Services at B&NES Council, said: “It’s fantastic to see that, once again, we have been able to offer so many pupils their preferred secondary school place. I hope those embarking on this exciting next step in their education journey enjoy the last few months at primary school before their next adventure.”
Cllr Heather Shearer, Lead Member for Children, Families and Education at Somerset Council, said: “At Somerset Council we aim to provide the best possible education for all our young people. We are proud of our services, especially being able to offer such a high percentage of pupils their preferred school place for another year running. We wish all pupils the best of luck in this next exciting chapter of their lives.”
Councillor Asher Craig, Deputy Mayor with responsibility for Children’s Services, Education, and Equalities at Bristol City Council, said: “I’m so pleased that we have been able to offer over 94 per cent of families one of their top three choices of secondary school for September. We have seen an increase of applicants from last year and the demand for school places is clearly growing, but our admissions team have worked hard with schools to make sure that all Bristol families receive an offer for a secondary school place.”
You can head to your local authority website if you attend to appeal the decision.