92.5% of children in Wiltshire get FIRST choice secondary school

It's a small decrease on last year

Author: Henrietta CreaseyPublished 1st Mar 2021
Last updated 1st Mar 2021

Figures released today by show 99% of Wiltshire children will secure a place at one of their preferred secondary schools from this September - up from 98.5% last year.

Whilst 92.5%, that's 4668 children, have been given their first preference school, down from 94 % in 2020.

34 parents were allocated a school for their child which was not one of their prefences.

Parents who applied online have found out their decisions today, while those who applied by post will have their decisions posted out to them today (1 March).

The results of online applications are available on the Wiltshire Council website.

Parents will need their user ID and password to access their decisions.

There were 5,045 applications received - an increase of 128 on 2020.

This is due to the number of children transferring to secondary school in September 2021 being slightly higher than in 2020.

Cllr Laura Mayes, Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Skills said:

"I'm really pleased the numbers of young people who are being offered their preferences have risen again. This is such an important time for all our young people and to know they will be going to one of their preferred schools will be a great help to them and their families."

"These high figures are in no small part due to the careful planning of our officers who ensure there are sufficient places both for now and the future."

All applicants have until Monday 15 March 2021 to accept the offer they receive. The right to an independent appeal is open to anyone who has not received an offer at their preferred school.

Details of how to appeal are available at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/schools-learning-admissions-online

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