95% of Wiltshire families offered first choice secondary place
The number of applications did fall slightly this year though
Last updated 1st Mar 2023
Families in Wiltshire have been finding out where their children will be going to secondary school in September 2023 today (Wednesday 1st March).
The Council tell us 95% were offered a place at their first choice school, with 98% getting a place at one of their top three picks.
That's the same percentages as last year, while nationally there's been a drop in families offered their first choice.
Wiltshire Council had 5,087 applications for a secondary place - 166 less than in 2022.
The drop is due to there being fewer children of the age that's transferring to secondary school in Wiltshire, than the previous year.
99% of the applications were sent in to the authority online, with just 47 paper applications sent in.
Parents and carers have until Wednesday 15th March, to confirm they wish to accept or decline the place they have been offered.
Cllr Laura Mayes, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills said:
“Choosing the right secondary school for your child is such an important step and I'm pleased that once again Wiltshire families will have good news about their preferred schools. These healthy figures are possible due to the careful planning and strategic thought that our officers invest to ensure there are sufficient places for this September but also for the years ahead.
"I wish all our pupils and their families the best as they can now look ahead to September and preparations for making that important step from primary to secondary."
Families are able to appeal if they haven't been given a place at one of their preferred schools.
For a voluntary controlled or community school, there's details on the Wiltshire Council website.
For voluntary aided, foundation school or an academy, parents and carers need to contact the school directly.
Hampshire families also finding out places
In Hampshire, 97% of families have been offered a place at one of their top three secondary choices.
90% have been given a spot at their first choice.
Hampshire County Council dealt with 15,400 applications from parents and carers.
Councillor Steve Forster, the County Council’s Executive Member for Education, said:
“Nationally, there have been greater pressures this year than there have been for some time due to a spike in the birth rate 11 years ago. This is reflected in the local picture for Hampshire, where again we have had to manage exceptional levels of demand for school places over and above those we already typically see each year.
"Despite this, our Admissions Team has still been able to deliver another fantastic result, with the vast majority of parents being offered one of their preferences. Every year, the team endeavours to meet parental preferences as far as possible and I want to thank them for their continued hard work in the face of rising pressure in this area.
“For those parents and carers who have not secured a place at one of their preferred secondary schools this year, I would urge them to please visit our website for advice and guidance on their options.”